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Erythromycin increases gastric antral motility in human premature infants
T Tomomasa1, M Miyazaki, T Koizumi
1Department of Pediatrics, Gunma University School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Erythromycin (EM) stimulates gastrointestinal contractions in premature infants, indicating functioning motilin receptors. This study investigated EM
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Physiology
- Gastrointestinal Motility Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Premature infants often experience gastrointestinal dysmotility.
- Erythromycin (EM) is a known motilin agonist.
- The effect of EM on neonatal GI motility requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if erythromycin (EM) alters gastrointestinal motility in premature infants.
- To assess the presence and function of motilin receptors in preterm neonates.
Main Methods:
- Studied six infants born between 23-30 weeks gestation.
- Recorded intraluminal pressure in the gastric antrum and proximal duodenum.
- Administered intravenous EM (0.75 mg/kg) and compared motility before and after infusion.
Main Results:
- Erythromycin (EM) increased nonpropagating antral contractions in all infants.
- The antral motility index showed a 4-fold increase after EM administration.
- Migrating complexes were absent and not induced by EM in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Premature infants possess functional motilin receptors.
- Erythromycin (EM) stimulates antral motility in preterm neonates.
- Findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for EM in neonatal GI disorders.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine if erythromycin (EM), which is a potent motilin agonist, alters gastrointestinal motility in premature infants. Six infants who were born after 23-30 weeks gestation and weighed 825-1,408 g at birth were studied when 6-31 days old. Intraluminal pressure changes within the gastric antrum and proximal duodenum were recorded. We infused EM 0.75 mg/kg intravenously for 15 min and we compared gastric and duodenal contractions for 30 min between before and after the initiation of EM infusion. In these preterm infants the migrating complex was not present, and was not induced by EM. However, in all 6 infants EM increased nonpropagating antral clusters of contractions (p < 0.05). The antral motility index increased 4-fold (p < 0.05). We concluded that human premature infants have functioning motilin receptors.