EFFECTS OF ERYTHROMYCIN ON GASTRIC-EMPTYING, DUODENO-CECAL TRANSIT-TIME, GASTRIC AND BILIOPANCREATIC SECRETION DURING CONTINUOUS GASTRIC INFUSION OF A LIQUID DIET IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

Objective: Erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, has been reported to increase gastric emptying. The aim of this study was to evaluate the e ffects of intravenous erythromycin (150 mg/h) on gastric emptying, sma ll intestinal transit time, gastric and biliopancreatic secretions dur ing gastric infusion of a liquid diet in healthy volunteers. Design: A randomized double-blind crossover study (erythromycin versus placebo) . Methods: Gastric emptying rates of nutrients, gastric acid secretion , gastric pH, jejunal flow rates, as well as biliopancreatic secretion s and duodeno-caecal transit time, were evaluated during a continuous infusion at 4.5 kcal/min of a nutrient solution (1 kcal/ml) in the ant rum, over a 6 h period, by a perfusion method. Results: During the 6 h period, total gastric volume and gastric acid secretion decreased dur ing erythromycin administration of 37 and 22%, respectively (area unde r the curves). Lipase outputs were significantly higher with erythromy cin than placebo. Bile salt output was not significantly different bet ween erythromycin and placebo. Duodeno-caecal transit time increased s ignificantly during erythromycin infusion compared with placebo (191 /- 12 versus 159 +/- 17 min; P< 0.05). Conclusion: During continuous g astric infusion of a liquid diet, intravenous erythromycin has a power ful effect on gastrointestinal function. The motor and secretory effec ts may enhance the tolerance and the efficiency of enteral nutrition i n humans.