HYPERGLYCEMIA AFFECTS PROXIMAL GASTRIC MOTOR AND SENSORY FUNCTION DURING SMALL-INTESTINAL TRIGLYCERIDE INFUSION

Hyperglycemia slows gastric emptying in normal individuals and patient s with diabetes mellitus and may affect both somatic and visceral sens ation. The effects of hyperglycemia on proximal gastric motility and s ensation during intraduodenal infusion of a triglyceride emulsion were evaluated using a barostat in six normal subjects during euglycemia a nd hyperglycemia (similar to 15 mmol/l). Isobaric distension induced g reater bag volumes during hyperglycemia compared with euglycemia at 3 (452 +/- 26 vs. 343 +/- 12 ml, P < 0.05) and 4 mmHg (600 +/- 55 vs. 49 7 +/- 50 ml, P < 0.05) above basal pressure. During isovolumetric dist ension, intrabag pressure was less during hyperglycemia at 500 (2.5 +/ - 0.3 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.5 mmHg above basal pressure, P < 0.05) and 600 ml (3.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.5 mmHg above basal pressure, P < 0.05). Per ception of nausea (P < 0.05) and fullness (P < 0.05) was increased dur ing hyperglycemia compared with euglycemia. We conclude that hyperglyc emia 1) reduces proximal gastric tone during intraduodenal triglycerid e infusion, an effect that may contribute to delayed gastric emptying, and 2) increases the intensity of nausea and fullness during intraduo denal triglyceride infusion and proximal gastric distension, indicativ e of an effect on visceral sensation.