A pharmacological dose of glucagon suppresses gastric emptying of a radiolabeled solid meal in humans

Abstract

The effect of glucagon (143 nmol i.v. bolus followed by 430 nmol infused at a constant rate over 90 min) v.v placebo (normal saline) on gastric emptying was examined in a blind randomized study in eight healthy males. The gastric emptying of a radiolabelled solid meal was measured with the use of a gamma camera. Glucagon elicited a pronounced delay in gastric emptying in all subjects examined—mean gastric transit time MTTyo glucagon 44.2±0.22 min vs placebo 38.6±0.74 min, p<0.001.

Key Words:

• gastric emptying
• glucagon
• radiolabelled meal