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Abstract
Background: Meal-induced relaxation of the proximal stomach can be investigated by means of a barostat. Using a standard liquid meat soup that elicits symptoms and a wide antrum in patients with functional dyspepsia, we aimed at finding the best meal size and fat load for studying gastric relaxation. Method: In the first trial 200ml and 500 ml meat soup (1 g fat/200 ml) was given to six healthy individuals. In the second trial a constant volume of soup (200ml) containing graded amounts of fat (1, 10, and 20g/200ml) was given to seven healthy individuals. Gastric relaxation was investigated for 1 h after consumption of the soup. A sagittal cross-sectional antral area was assessed ultrasonographically every 10min, and abdominal discomfort was scored. Results: Overall, a positive response (volume increase of 30 ml or more within 5 min after consumption of the meal) was found in 26 of 30 (87%) investigations. Individual maximal responses ranged from 38 to 482 ml (mean, 180 ml ± 128). Area under the time-volume curve (AUC) was similar after 200 and 500 ml soup (mean, 100 ml/30 min and 107 ml/ 30 min, respectively). AUC increased with increasing fat content, with a significant difference between the low-fat and high-fat meal (p < 0.05). The barostat bag induced fed-state antral contractions in most individuals (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between AUC and postprandial abdominal discomfort (p = 0.04). Conclusions: The barostat is a sensitive technique for detecting gastric relaxation, also in response to our standard meat soup meal. The postprandial relaxation response in healthy individuals is dependent on the fat content of the meal. The barostat bag may alter gastric motor activity. Abdominal discomfort after soup ingestion may be related to poor gastric relaxation.
