Release of motilin in man

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Motilin is a gastrointestinal hormone.
• Its release and role in gastric emptying require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of various stimuli on motilin release.
• To explore the relationship between motilin and gastric emptying.

Main Methods:

• Healthy volunteers ingested meals or received intraduodenal infusions.
• Plasma motilin levels and gastric emptying were monitored.

Main Results:

• Duodenal acidification increased plasma motilin by 90%.
• Fat ingestion increased motilin by 65% at 30 minutes.
• Alkali instillation decreased motilin; protein and glucose had minimal effects.

Conclusions:

• Motilin release is physiologically stimulated by duodenal acidification and fat.
• Motilin may mediate the effects of these stimuli on gastric emptying in humans.