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Circulating gastrointestinal hormone abnormalities in patients with severe idiopathic constipation
J R van der Sijp1, M A Kamm, J M Nightingale
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Patients with severe idiopathic constipation exhibit altered circulating gastrointestinal hormones, including elevated somatostatin and decreased pancreatic glucagon, impacting gut motility.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
Background:
- Idiopathic constipation is a common condition affecting gastrointestinal (GI) motility.
- The role of circulating GI hormones in severe idiopathic constipation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential abnormalities in circulating gastrointestinal hormones in patients with severe idiopathic constipation.
- To explore the relationship between these hormones and GI transit.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 12 female patients with severe idiopathic constipation and 12 healthy controls.
- Administration of a radioisotope-labeled meal to assess serum hormone responses, gastric emptying, and small intestinal transit over 180 minutes.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher basal and peak somatostatin levels were observed in patients compared to controls.
- Patients showed a markedly reduced integrated incremental somatostatin response to the meal.
- Decreased pancreatic glucagon and altered enteroglucagon patterns were noted in patients, with pancreatic glucagon correlating with small bowel transit.
Conclusions:
- Severe idiopathic constipation is associated with specific circulating gut hormone abnormalities.
- These hormonal alterations likely contribute to impaired gastrointestinal motility and may hold pathophysiological significance.