Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide on motility and sensation of the proximal stomach in humans.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1) retards gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and inhibits antroduodenal and stimulates pyloric motility. AIMS: To assess the effects of synthetic GLP-1 on fundus tone and volume waves, gastric compliance, and perception of gastric distension. SUBJECTS: Eleven healthy male volunteers. METHODS: Background infusions were saline, or GLP-1 at 0.3 or 0.9 pmol/ kg/min on separate days in random order. Interdigestive fundus motility was recorded by barostat (maximum capacity of intragastric bag 1200 ml) during basal and peptide periods of 60 minutes each. Thereafter stepwise isobaric distensions were performed with ongoing peptide infusion, and gastric sensation was scored. RESULTS: Low and high loads of GLP-1 induced physiological and supraphysiological plasma immunoreactivities, respectively. GLP-1 dose dependently diminished fundus tone (162.9 (15.0) and 259.5 (17.2) v 121.1 (6.0) ml with saline; p<0.0001). It greatly reduced volume waves and total volume displaced by these events (p<0.0001). Gastric compliance derived from isobaric distension rose in a dose related manner (42.6 (5.5) and 63.6 (7.7) v 27.0 (3.5) ml/mm Hg; p=0.0004) with a concomitant reduction of the pressure at half maximum bag volume (6.4 (0.4) and 5.5 (0.4) v 7.2 (0.1) mm Hg; p<0.0001). GLP-1 did not change perception of isobaric distension but reduced the perception score related to corresponding bag volume (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1 is a candidate physiological inhibitory regulator of fundus motility. It allows the stomach to afford a larger volume without increase in sensation.

Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide on antro-pyloro-duodenal motility in the interdigestive state and with duodenal lipid perfusion in humans.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1) is a gut hormone released postprandially. Synthetic GLP-1 strongly inhibits gastric emptying in healthy subjects and in patients with diabetes mellitus. AIMS: To investigate the effects of GLP-1 on antro-pyloro-duodenal motility in humans. METHODS: Eleven healthy male volunteers were studied on two separate days. On the interdigestive study day, a basal period was followed by a 60 minute period of saline infusion and two further 60 minute periods of intravenous infusion of GLP-1 0.4 and 1.2 pmol/kg/min to achieve postprandial and supraphysiological plasma levels, respectively. On the postprandial study day, the same infusions were coadministered with intraduodenal lipid perfusion at 2.5 ml/min (2.5 kcal/min) followed by another 60 minutes of recording after cessation of GLP-1. Antro-pyloro-duodenal motility was measured by perfusion manometry. RESULTS: GLP-1 significantly inhibited the number and amplitudes of antral and duodenal contractions in the interdigestive state and after administration of duodenal lipid. It abolished interdigestive antral wave propagation. In the interdigestive state, GLP-1 dose dependently increased pyloric tone and significantly stimulated isolated pyloric pressure waves (IPPW). Pyloric tone increased with duodenal lipid, and this was further enhanced by GLP-1. GLP-1 transiently restored the initial IPPW response to duodenal lipid which had declined with lipid perfusion. Plasma levels of pancreatic polypeptide were dose dependently diminished by GLP-1 with and without duodenal lipid. CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1 inhibited antro-duodenal contractility and stimulated the tonic and phasic motility of the pylorus. These effects probably mediate delayed gastric emptying. Inhibition of efferent vagal activity may be an important mechanism. As postprandial plasma levels of GLP-1 are sufficient to appreciably affect motility, we believe that endogenous GLP-1 is a physiological regulator of motor activity in the antro-pyloro-duodenal region.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 improves the ability of the beta-cell to sense and respond to glucose in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and NIDDM are both associated with an impaired ability of the beta-cell to sense and respond to small changes in plasma glucose concentrations. The aim of this study was to establish if glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), a natural enteric peptide and potent insulin secretagogue, improves this defect. Two weight-matched groups, one with eight subjects having IGT (2-h glucose, 10.1 +/- 0.3 mmol/l) and another with seven subjects with diet-treated NIDDM (2-h glucose, 14.5 +/- 0.9 mmol/l), were studied on two occasions during a 12-h oscillatory glucose infusion, a sensitive test of the ability of the beta-cell to sense and respond to glucose. Glucose was infused with a mean rate of 4 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), amplitude 33% above and below the mean rate, and periodicity of 144 min, with infusion of saline or GLP-1 at 0.4 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 12 h. Mean glucose levels were significantly lower in both groups during the GLP-1 infusion compared with during saline infusion: 9.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 6.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/l in the IGT subjects (P < 0.0004) and 14.6 +/- 1.0 vs. 9.3 +/- 0.7 mmol/l in NIDDM subjects (P < 0.0002). Despite this significant reduction in plasma glucose concentration, insulin secretion rates (ISRs) increased significantly in IGT subjects (513.3 +/- 77.6 vs. 583.1 +/- 100.7 pmol/min; P < 0.03), with a trend toward increasing in NIDDM subjects (561.7 +/- 122.16 vs. 642.8 +/- 128 pmol/min; P = 0.1). These results were compatible with enhanced insulin secretion in the presence of GLP-1. Spectral power was used as a measure of the ability of the beta-cell to secrete insulin in response to small changes in the plasma glucose concentration during the oscillatory infusion. Spectral power for ISR increased from 2.1 +/- 0.9 during saline infusion to 7.4 +/- 1.3 during GLP-1 infusion in IGT subjects (P < 0.004), but was unchanged in NIDDM subjects (1.0 +/- 0.4 to 1.5 +/- 0.6; P = 0.3). We concluded that low dosage GLP-1 improves the ability of the beta-cell to secrete insulin in both IGT and NIDDM subjects, but that the ability to sense and respond to subtle changes in plasma glucose is improved in IGT subjects, with only a variable response in NIDDM subjects. Beta-cell dysfunction was improved by GLP-1 infusion, suggesting that early GLP-1 therapy may preserve beta-cell function in subjects with IGT or mild NIDDM.

Inhibitory effects of hyperglycaemia on fed jejunal motility: potential role of hyperinsulinaemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute hyperglycaemia is known to inhibit jejunal interdigestive motility. This study was undertaken to establish the effects of hyperglycaemia on fed jejunal motility and small intestinal transit time, and to establish if the effects of hyperglycaemia are mediated in part by hyperinsulinaemia. METHODS: Nine healthy male volunteers were studied in random order using three experimental conditions: (a) euglycaemic clamp [glucose 5 mmol L(-1)]; (b) hyperglycaemic clamp [glucose 15 mmol L(-1)]; and (c) euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp [glucose 5 mmol L(-l)]. Fed jejunal motility was induced by an intrajejunal perfusion of lipid (Lipofundin medium-chained triglyceride 10%) at 1.5 mL min(-1) [1.5 kcal min(-1)] for 180 min through the most proximal port of a manometry catheter (eight ports spaced at 2-cm intervals) located just distal to the ligament of Treitz. One minute after starting the lipid perfusion, 15 g of lactulose dissolved in 20 mL of tap water was infused. Small intestinal transit time was measured by the hydrogen breath test. RESULTS: Acute hyperglycaemia reduced the total number of jejunal contractions and progradely propagated contractions, the motility index (P < 0.05) and the mean amplitude of contractions and delayed intestinal transit time. Hyperinsulinaemia reduced the total number of jejunal contractions, motility index (P < 0.05) and intestinal transit time. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, hyperinsulinaemia may contribute to the inhibitory effects of hyperglycaemia on jejunal motility. In addition, this study demonstrated that intrajejunal infusion of lipid stimulates sustained glucagon-like peptide-1 release. In contrast to fat-induced gastric inhibitory polypeptide release, this glucagon-like peptide-1 release is not inhibited by exogenous or endogenous hyperinsulinaemia (P = 0.59).

Differential effects of subcutaneous GLP-1 on gastric emptying, antroduodenal motility, and pancreatic function in men.

In this study of eight healthy male volunteers, we investigated the effects of graded doses of subcutaneous glucagon like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1) on: 1) the gastric emptying pattern of a mixed liquid meal (300 kcal); 2) pancreatic enzyme secretion; 3) antroduodenal motility; and 4) the glycemic response as well as releases of insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon. GLP-1, 0.125 nmol/kg, or 0.25 nmol/kg, or placebo was injected subcutaneously 5 min before meal ingestion. Subcutaneous GLP-1 dose-dependently prolonged the lag period (i.e., the time to reach maximal velocity of gastric emptying) by 46.2% (low dose) and 93.7% (high dose) (p < .05) but left unaltered maximal emptying velocity, total emptying time, and exponential emptying rate. With and without GLP-1, a fed motor pattern was induced by the meal and was terminated by an antral phase III when 98% of the meal had emptied. In parallel to the prolonged lag period, GLP-1 dose-dependently inhibited antral and duodenal motility and coordinated antroduodenal contractions by > 50% (low dose) and > 70% (high dose) (p < .05). GLP-1 initially reduced and thereafter transiently stimulated pancreatic enzyme secretion. This pattern correlated with the prolonged lag period and mirrored the delayed gastric emptying. GLP-1 retarded and diminished the postprandial glucose peak and reduced the total plasma glucose response by 46.6% (low dose) and by 59.4% (high dose) (p < .05). Both doses of GLP-1 delayed the postprandial insulin peak, enhanced total insulin release, and diminished postprandial responses of glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide. The duration of the lag period strongly correlated with the timing of postprandial glucose and insulin peaks (p < .001). The initial delay of gastric emptying, the enhancement of postprandial insulin release, and the inhibition of postprandial glucagon release were independent determinants (p < .01-.05) of the postprandial glucose response after subcutaneous administration of GLP-1.

Intestinal phase of human antro-pyloro-duodenal motility: cholinergic and CCK-mediated regulation.

In this study the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine and the cholecystokinin (CCK)-A receptor antagonist loxiglumide were used to investigate the relative importance of cholinergic and CCK-mediated regulation of intestinal phase antro-pyloro-duodenal motility. Plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones [pancreatic polypeptide (PP), gastrin, CCK] were concomitantly determined to estimate biological potency of the doses of the receptor antagonists. In eight healthy male volunteers, a 30-min basal interdigestive period was followed by duodenal perfusion of a mixed liquid meal for 150 min at 1.6 kcal min-1 against a background of saline or atropine (5 micrograms kg-1 h-1) or loxiglumide (10 mg kg-1 h-1). Antropyloro-duodenal motility was continuously monitored with a sleeve straddling the pylorus. Against a background of saline, duodenal nutrients persistently stimulated isolated pyloric pressure waves. After 60 min, the initially low antral and duodenal contraction rates increased. In the fed state, atropine reduced total number of antral contractions and integrated motility index by 73% (P < 0.01) and 76% (P < 0.005), total number of pyloric contractions and integrated motility index by 43% and 50% (P < 0.05) with inhibition increasing over time. It did not alter duodenal contraction frequency but diminished duodenal motility index by 39% (P < 0.05) owing to a reduction in amplitude and duration of contractions. Loxiglumide decreased total numbers of antral, pyloric and duodenal contractions by 44% (P < 0.05), 74% (P < 0.005) and 41% (P < 0.005) respectively. It reduced cumulative antral, pyloric and duodenal motility indexes by 60% (P < 0.01), 80% (P < 0.01) and 61% (P < 0.05) respectively. Atropine fully abolished PP release to duodenal nutrients whereas loxiglumide reduced it by 60% (P < 0.05). Both atropine and loxiglumide enhanced gastrin release whereas only loxiglumide markedly stimulated CCK release. We conclude that both cholinergic input and endogenous CCK are major stimulatory regulators of antro-pyloroduodenal motility in the intestinal phase. There appears to be a regional heterogeneity of cholinergic and CCK control. Cholinergic input predominates in the antrum. Both systems are equipotent at the pylorus. CCK predominates in the duodenum. We suggest that CCK primarily interacts with receptors on cholinergic neurons in the antropyloric region and primarily affects smooth muscle receptors in the duodenum.

Gastric emptying and release of incretin hormones after glucose ingestion in humans.

This study investigated in eight healthy male volunteers (a) the gastric emptying pattern of 50 and 100 grams of glucose; (b) its relation to the phase of interdigestive motility (phase I or II) existing when glucose was ingested; and (c) the interplay between gastric emptying or duodenal perfusion of glucose (1.1 and 2.2 kcal/min; identical total glucose loads as orally given) and release of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1), C-peptide, insulin, and plasma glucose. The phase of interdigestive motility existing at the time of glucose ingestion did not affect gastric emptying or any metabolic parameter. Gastric emptying of glucose displayed a power exponential pattern with a short initial lag period. Duodenal delivery of glucose was not constant but exponentially declined over time. Increasing the glucose load reduced the rate of gastric emptying by 27.5% (P < 0.05) but increased the fractional duodenal delivery of glucose. Both glucose loads induced a fed motor pattern which was terminated by an antral phase III when approximately 95% of the meal had emptied. Plasma GLP-1 rose from basal levels of approximately 1 pmol/liter of peaks of 3.2 +/- 0.6 pmol/liter with 50 grams of glucose and of 7.2 +/- 1.6 pmol/liter with 100 grams of glucose. These peaks occurred 20 min after glucose intake irrespective of the load. A duodenal delivery of glucose exceeding 1.4 kcal/min was required to maintain GLP-1 release in contrast to ongoing GIP release with negligibly low emptying of glucose. Oral administration of glucose yielded higher GLP-1 and insulin releases but an equal GIP release compared with the isocaloric duodenal perfusion. We conclude that (a) gastric emptying of glucose displays a power exponential pattern with duodenal delivery exponentially declining over time and (b) a threshold rate of gastric emptying of glucose must be exceeded to release GLP-1, whereas GIP release is not controlled by gastric emptying.

Cisapride stimulates human esophageal motility.

The potency of cisapride to stimulate esophageal motility is still a matter of conjecture. This double-blind placebo-controlled study assessed the effect of repeated oral doses of cisapride at 10 and 20 mg on interdigestive esophageal motility in 10 healthy male volunteers. In each experiment, esophageal motility was recorded continuously for 60 min with a sleeve sensor straddling the lower esophageal sphincter and four series of 10 wet swallows being performed. Analysis of motor events was computer assisted. Plasma cisapride levels amounted to 72.3 +/- 6.1 ng/ml with 10 mg cisapride and 142.5 +/- 11.9 ng/ml with 20 mg cisapride (p < 0.001 vs. 10 mg). Lower esophageal sphincter pressure increased from 20.6 +/- 2.3 mm Hg (placebo) to 28.9 +/- 2.3 mm Hg with 10 mg cisapride (p < 0.0001 vs. placebo) and to 26.8 +/- 1.8 mm Hg with 20 mg cisapride (p < 0.001 vs. placebo). Cisapride increased amplitude, duration, and area but not contractility and peristaltic velocity of esophageal contraction waves. Cisapride caused a maximum rise in amplitude of 22.4%, in area of 19.4%, and in duration of 9.6%. Its effects were greatest in the proximal and middle smooth muscle segments and more pronounced with 10 than with 20 mg. We conclude that cisapride clearly increases lower esophageal sphincter pressure and, to a lesser extent, raises amplitude and prolongs duration of esophageal contraction waves. Effects on contraction waves seem to correlate with the density of cholinergic innervation. Increasing the dose above 10 mg in the steady state does not further enhance the effect in healthy subjects.