ERYTHROMYCIN SHORTENS OROCECAL TRANSIT-TIME IN DIABETIC MALE-SUBJECTS- A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Background: The effects of erythromycin on small bowel motility are co ntroversial. Orocaecal transit time (OCTT) is considered to be a valid measure of small bowel motility. Methods: We studied the effect of er ythromycin on OCTT in diabetic male subjects in a double-blind placebo -controlled crossover fashion. After an overnight fast, subjects recei ved erythromycin 500 mg, 250 mg or placebo, on 3 different days. A sta ndard solid meal containing 20 g lactulose was administered 30 min aft er the erythromycin ingestion. Exhaled breath was collected and hydrog en concentration was assessed over 5 h. Breath hydrogen concentrations for each session were analysed over time by a generalized logistic fu nction generating a sigmoidal curve. Front transit time was recorded a s the time point when a sustained rise in breath hydrogen concentratio n of at least 5 p.p.m. was first observed. Results: The mean+/-S.E.M. time taken for the front of the meal to reach the caecum was 92.5+/-9. 5, 86.1+/-16.5 and 62.3+/-12.1 min for placebo, erythromycin 250 mg an d erythromycin 500 mg, respectively The OCTT was significantly decreas ed with erythromycin 500 mg compard to placebo (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Oral administration of 500 mg erythromycin has prokinetic effect on o rocaecal transit in male patients with diabetes mellitus.