motilin and Hypoglycemia

Information concerning GEP hormones has progressively advanced since the initial discovery of a GEP hormone, secretin, in 1902. Studies in this area flourished with the advent of radioimmunoassay, and have provided an understanding of the secretion, regulation, metabolic actions, and role in certain diseases of major GEP hormones. Measurement of GEP hormones has achieved importance in clinical medicine and allowed understanding of the pathophysiology of several clinical disorders. The decade to come should witness additional advances in this rapidly expanding field.

Topics: Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Cholecystokinin; Diabetes Mellitus; Diarrhea; Endocrine System Diseases; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Gastrins; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Glucagon; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Motilin; Neoplasms; Neurotensin; Pancreatic Polypeptide; Peptic Ulcer; Secretin; Skin Diseases; Somatostatin; Substance P; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

This study examined whether or not changes in plasma concentrations of motilin and other gastrointestinal hormones known to affect gastric motility are associated with the accelerated gastric emptying seen during hypoglycaemia. While studying gastric emptying by scintigraphy in eight healthy subjects, the plasma concentrations of glucagon, adrenaline, motilin, gastrin, neuropeptide Y and somatostatin were measured during normoglycaemia and hypoglycaemia with simultaneous infusion of either atropine or saline. Blood glucose concentrations were checked by an insulin-glucose clamp. The plasma levels of glucagon and adrenaline increased markedly during both hypoglycaemic examinations compared with normoglycaemia. Neither motilin nor any of the other hormones displayed considerable changes during hypoglycaemia with and without atropine compared with normoglycaemia. No further information about the mechanisms behind the accelerated gastric emptying rate during hypoglycaemia was obtained by analysing motilin and the other gastrointestinal hormones.

Topics: Adult; Blood Glucose; Epinephrine; Gastric Emptying; Gastrins; Glucagon; Glucose Clamp Technique; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Male; Motilin; Neuropeptide Y; Neuropeptides; Somatostatin