Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophane and insulin on gastric motility and emptying in dogs

In unanaesthetized dogs gastroduodenal motility was investigated by simultaneous transducer recordings and fluoroscopy; gastric emptying was measured via a duodenal cannula. Intravenous infusion of 5-hydroxytryptophane enhanced both gastric emptying and antral and duodenal motility. The intravenous injection of insulin was followed by an initial inhibition of antral and duodenal motility and of gastric emptying. In a second phase antral and duodenal contractions were augmented, while the proximal stomach relaxed. Thereby, gastric emptying increased only slightly in spite of the strong antral activity. It is concluded that several factors are involved in controlling gastric emptying.