Sumatriptan, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-1 receptor agonist,
induces a lag phase for gastric emptying of liquids in man.
Coulie, Bernard, Jan Tack, Bart Maes, Benny Geypens, M. De Roo, Jozef
Janssens.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology,
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg,
University of Leuven, Leuven. Belgium
APStracts 3:0271G, 1996.
Sumatriptan, a 5-hydroxytryptamine-1 receptor agonist at enteric
neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, causes a relaxation of the
gastric fundus and inhibition of antral contractile activity. The
present study examined the effect of sumatriptan on gastric emptying
of solids and liquids in man. In eight healthy subjects the gastric
emptying rate for liquids and solids was measured by use of the
carbon labelled glycin and octanoid acid breath test after
subcutaneous administration of placebo or sumatriptan. Sumatriptan
increased gastric half emptying time of liquids (p<0.0005) and
induced a prolonged lag phase for liquids (p<0.0005) in all
subjects. Sumatriptan increased gastric half emptying time
(p<0.005) and the lag phase of solids (p<0.05) in all
subjects. In two healthy subjects gastric emptying of liquids and
solids after subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan was studied
by radioscintigraphy. Radioscintigraphy confirmed the delayed
emptying and the prolonged lag phases after sumatriptan. In
conclusion, sumatriptan delays gastric emptying of solids and liquids
in healthy subjects. Moreover, sumatriptan induces a lag phase for
liquids. The mechanism by which sumatriptan alters gastric emptying
remains to be studied
Received 15 September 1995; accepted in final form 3 November
1996.
APS Manuscript Number G413-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Gastrointest. Liver
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 31 December 1996