The Effects of Prostaglandins on Gastric Emptying

Abstract

This review summarizes the effects of prostaglandins on gastric emptying in animals and man. It appears that prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and prostaglandin F_2α increase the rate of gastric emptying in animals. PGE₂ increases the emptying of liquids from the human stomach; more recently developed prostaglandin analogues, however, such as misoprostil and trimoprostil, have no effect on the rate of emptying of the human stomach. The PGE₁ analogue, rioprostil, increases the rate of emptying of an acid load from the stomach; it does not, however, affect gastric emptying of a meal consisting of meat broth and glucose. It is concluded that prostaglandins do not affect the rate of gastric emptying of solids, but that some of these compounds do increase gastric emptying of liquids in both animals and man.

Key Words:

• Gastric emptying
• Prostaglandins
• rioprostil