[Effect of press stimulation applied to back skin on gastric emptying and serum gastrin response to solid food]

We studied the effect of press stimulation applied to the back skin on gastric emptying and serum gastrin response to solid food in healthy subjects. Although gastric emptying and serum gastrin response were significantly suppressed by press stimulation of T6-9 dermatomes corresponding to the spinal levels which sympathetic outflow to the stomach arise, they were not affected by press stimulation of T10-L1 dermatomes. Plasma levels of ACTH, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which usually increase by stresses acting on the brain, did not change by press stimulation of T6-10 dermatomes. These results suggest that press stimulation applied to the back skin of T6-9 dermatomes suppress gastric emptying and gastrin response to solid food mainly through the spinal cord.