Ceruletide-assisted examination of the small bowel

Ceruletide, a decapeptide similar in action to cholecystokinin, was studied in a randomized fashion in 48 patients undergoing routine small bowel examination. Parenteral administration of Ceruletide demonstrated a significantly decreased small bowel transit time (28.8 min) when compared with placebo (67 min) (P less than 0.005). However, this was offset by a diminution in anatomic quality particularly in the distal ileum. A hypotonic action on the duodenual bulb and sweep was observed in 77% of patients after the administration of Ceruletide. This hypotonic effect may prove to be a useful adjunct in the performance of an upper gastrointestinal series.