The effect of pirenzepine on meal-stimulated gastrointestinal hormones

The effects of pirenzepine on the plasma concentrations of gut hormones in the fasting and postprandial states were studied in six healthy subjects. On separate days and in random order, 10 mg pirenzepine, in 2 ml of solvent, or 2 ml saline (0.15 mol/l) were given intravenously 30 min before a standard normal breakfast (2220 kJ). Pirenzepine was not found to affect basal or postprandial levels of insulin, glucagon, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or somatostatin. The basal concentration of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) was lowered (p less than 0.05) and the postprandial elevation reduced, though not significantly. While the basal concentration of motilin was also suppressed (p less than 0.05), the postprandial elevation remained unchanged following pirenzepine. The release of enteroglucagon was reduced significantly in the basal and postprandial states (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.025 respectively). The postprandial gastrin response was prolonged slightly, but insignificantly, by pirenzepine. It is concluded that pirenzepine does not exert any major or unexpected actions on the hormonal control of digestion.