Relation between postprandial satiation and antral area in normal subjects

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Human Physiology
• Appetite Regulation

Background:

• Factors influencing human appetite remain unclear.
• Appetite shows a weak correlation with gastric emptying in healthy individuals.
• Functional dyspepsia patients exhibit increased fasting and postprandial antral areas compared to controls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if antral area and distention are key determinants of postprandial fullness.
• To explore the relationship between antral distention, gastric emptying, and satiety in normal subjects.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous measurement of gastric emptying using scintigraphy and antral area via ultrasound in 14 healthy subjects.
• Subjects consumed 350 mL of 20% glucose, with hunger and fullness assessed using visual analog scales.
• Gastric emptying half-time (t1/2) and antral area changes were correlated with satiety and hunger ratings.

Main Results:

• Gastric emptying half-time measurements by scintigraphy and ultrasound showed no significant difference.
• Postprandial fullness significantly increased, while hunger decreased after glucose ingestion.
• Fullness, but not hunger, correlated significantly with antral area, increased antral area, and distal stomach content, but not with gastric emptying t1/2.

Conclusions:

• Postprandial fullness in normal subjects is closely linked to antral distention.
• Antral distention does not appear to influence postprandial hunger levels.