Gastrointestinal propulsion measurement with radiopaque capsules during 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 infusion

A method to quantitate gastric emptying (GE) and small intestinal transit (SIT) by obtaining serial abdominal x-rays after administration of radiopaque capsules was developed. The technique was verified by studying gastric emptying and small intestinal transit in healthy volunteers treated with subcutaneous injections of 0.4 or 0.8 mgs of atropine, 2.5 mg bethanechol, or saline placebo. Atropine decreased gastric emptying and small intestinal transit, and bethanechol only increased gastric emptying. The suitability of this technique for measuring gastrointestinal propulsion in post-operative patients was demonstrated in females undergoing hysterectomy. The small intestine recovered propulsive ability at least six hours sooner than the stomach. This technique was also used while performing a single dose, intravenous tolerance study of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (DmPGE2) in normal volunteers. DmPGE2 was administered over five minutes at a dose of 7 to 140 ng/kg. DmPGE2 was well tolerated producing only minor side effects that were not dose related. In doses up to 70 ng/kg, DmPGE2 increased gastric emptying and inhibited small intestinal transit. The delayed small intestinal transit may make DmPGE2 an inappropriate choice for treatment of post-operative or paralytic ileus.