ROLE OF CHOLECYSTOKININ AS A REGULATOR OF SOLID AND LIQUID GASTRIC-EMPTYING IN HUMANS

The role of endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in the regulation of gast ric emptying remains controversial. We therefore studied the effect of the CCK-A receptor antagonist loxiglumide on gastric emptying of a hi gh-caloric solid-liquid meal in humans. Gastric emptying was assessed in eight volunteers using intravenous loxiglumide or placebo in a rand omized double-blind order. Subjects were studied by a dual-headed gamm a camera after ingestion of a pancake (570 kcal) labeled with Tc-99m-s ulfur colloid and 500 ml 10% glucose containing In-111-diethylenetriam ine pentaacetic acid. Plasma CCK was measured by a specific radioimmun oassay. Loxiglumide markedly accelerated gastric emptying of both phas es of the meal. The lag period was shortened by 26% (P < 0.03); the ar ea under the emptying curve and half-emptying time of solid emptying w ere lowered by 19 and 24% (P < 0.02) and of liquid emptying by 18 and 24% (P < 0.04), respectively. Plasma CCK levels were higher during inf usion of loxiglumide compared with placebo (P < 0.02). These data demo nstrate that post-prandially released CCK is a major regulator of gast ric emptying of physiological meals containing both solid and liquid c omponents.