Motilin response to a glucose load aberrant in smokers

Smoking is known to influence the blood glucose response to an oral glucose load, possibly by altering the gut motility. Because the peptide hormone motilin might be involved in the regulation of the gastric emptying pattern, we studied 12 heavy smokers and 9 non-smokers after an overnight fast and tobacco abstinence. After an oral glucose load non-smokers showed falling serum motilin levels, as expected, whereas the smokers had initially increasing values. We conclude that smoking affects the gastrointestinal tract, not only during acute nicotine exposure but also chronically.