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Motilin and the interdigestive migrating motor complex in man.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|July 1, 1979
Summary
Motilin, a gut hormone, plays a key role in regulating the interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) in humans. Increased motilin levels trigger the activity front of the MMC, influencing gut motility.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
Background:
- The interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) is crucial for gut cleansing.
- Motilin, a candidate gut hormone, was investigated for its role in MMC regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if motilin controls the MMC in humans.
- To assess the effect of exogenous motilin on MMC activity.
Main Methods:
- Studied 14 normal subjects using pressure-recording catheters in the upper small intestine.
- Administered exogenous porcine motilin infusions to 16 normal volunteers.
Main Results:
- Elevated endogenous motilin levels preceded the MMC activity front.
- Exogenous motilin induced an MMC activity front in 75% of subjects, reducing the interval significantly.
- Low-dose motilin infusion was effective in triggering the activity front.
Conclusions:
- Cyclic increases in plasma motilin levels are a significant factor in generating the MMC activity front in humans.
- Motilin directly influences the regulation of the interdigestive migrating motor complex.