Gastrointestinal stromal tumor in pregnancy: a case report.

Background. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract and are diagnosed relatively seldom in pregnancy. Case. We describe a remarkable clinical course and long-term outcome, now nine years after first diagnosis, of a massive and metastatic, with a high malignancy grade GIST case, found in and treated from the first trimester of pregnancy onwards. Conclusion. GIST occurring during pregnancy is extremely rare. However, early diagnosis is important for optimal management. The recent better understanding of oncogenesis, the use of immunohistochemistry for differential diagnosis of GISTs, and the use of imatinib mesylate as the treatment of first choice are-as shown in this case-important for care of pregnant women with this type of malignancy.

Desbuquois syndrome: clinical and radiological report of the first two Chinese cases from a consanguineous family.

Two siblings from China have been observed with severe short stature of prenatal onset and developmental delay. The radiographic features were characteristic of Desbuquois syndrome. The association of a genetic skeletal dysplasia and developmental delay is a relatively rare combination, although this syndrome is readily diagnosable from its distinctive radiographic features.

Evidence of atrial mechanical dysfunction by acoustic quantification in abnormal relaxation and restrictive filling patterns of diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.

AIM: This study made use of acoustic quantification (AQ) to investigate if left atrial (LA) mechanical function was impaired in patients with diastolic dysfunction, which might not be detected by conventional Doppler echocardiography. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with coronary artery disease (mean age 65+/-11 years, 80% male) underwent echocardiography prospectively while AQ was performed using harmonic imaging at the apical four-chamber view to evaluate LA function. RESULTS: By Doppler echocardiography, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in the form of abnormal relaxation pattern (ARP) was present in 84, pseudonormal (PN) in nine and restrictive filling pattern (RFP) in 10 patients. LA mechanical dysfunction with impaired total fractional area change (FAC) of

Prevalence and predictors of renal artery stenosis in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Ischaemic nephropathy is currently a major public health issue in atherosclerotic populations. Although atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in Asia has reached epidemic proportions over the last two decades, there is little published data on the prevalence of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) in Oriental subjects. Because ARAS may be clinically silent until end-stage renal failure sets in, it is important to identify patients with significant but clinically unsuspected ARAS. ARAS and coronary artery disease (CAD) often coexist. AIMS: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of ARAS among Chinese patients with CAD. METHODS: A total of 230 consecutive Chinese patients with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography underwent an abdominal aortogram in the same sitting to screen for ARAS. Patient demographics and comorbidities were analysed for any association with ARAS. RESULTS: A total of 34 (14.8%) patients was found to have significant ARAS. Age and multivessel CAD were independent predictors of ARAS. Hypertension, renal insufficiency, extracranial cerebrovascular disease and female gender were also associated with a higher risk of ARAS but did not independently predict ARAS. CONCLUSION: Clinically silent yet angiographically significant ARAS is common among CAD patients. The prevalence and predictors of ARAS among Chinese patients with CAD are similar to those reported for Caucasian subjects. Underlying ARAS should be suspected in CAD patients with such comorbidities as hypertension, renal insufficiency, extracranial cerebrovascular disease, and more so in the elderly and those with multivessel disease.

JTV-519 Japan Tobacco.

Japan Tobacco is developing the mixed action ion channel blocker, JTV-519, which has potential use as an antiarrhythmic [285800]. The drug is a novel cardioprotectant derivative of 1,4-benzothiazepine for which phase I trials were completed in the third quarter of 1998; phase II trials started in the fourth quarter of 1998 for the potential treatment of myocardial infarction [320195]. Studies have shown that JTV-519 has a strong cardioprotective effect against catecholamine-induced myocardial injury and against ischemia/reperfusion injury [316749]. In experimental myofibrillar overcontraction models, it demonstrated greater cardioprotectant effects than propranolol, verapamil and diltiazem [171668].

Effects of hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia on proximal gastric motor and sensory function in humans.

During acute hyperglycaemia, gastric emptying is delayed and the compliance of the proximal stomach is increased significantly. It is not known whether the effect of hyperglycaemia on proximal gastric motor function in healthy volunteers results from endogenous hyperinsulinaemia. Therefore we studied the effects of acute hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia on proximal gastric function, measured using an electronic barostat. Eight healthy volunteers were studied on three separate occasions during: (a) normoglycaemia, (b) hyperglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamping, and (c) euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamping. Gastric compliance was significantly (P<0.01) increased during hyperglycaemia (44+/-5 ml/mmHg), and also during hyperinsulinaemia (38+/-4 ml/mmHg), compared with during normoglycaemia (31+/-3 ml/mmHg). During pressure distension, sensations of fullness were greater during hyperglycaemia and during hyperinsulinaemia compared with controls. At a set pressure of minimal distension pressure +2 mmHg, the intrabag volume was significantly higher during hyperglycaemia (292+/-36 ml; P<0.05), but not during hyperinsulinaemia (161+/-35 ml), compared with during normoglycaemia (129+/-10 ml). Postprandial relaxation was significantly (P<0.01) decreased during hyperglycaemia (93+/-64 ml) and hyperinsulinaemia (101+/-64 ml) compared with normoglycaemia (224+/-56 ml). Thus not only hyperglycaemia, but also hyperinsulinaemia, influences proximal gastric compliance, postprandial relaxation and symptom perception.

Effect of insulin and glucose on basal and cholecystokinin-stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion in humans.

Pancreaticobiliary secretion is reduced during acute hyperglycemia. In nondiabetics, this inhibitory effect also may result from hyperinsulinemia. Therefore we investigated the effects of acute hyperglycemia and euglycemic hyperinsulinemia on basal and cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulated pancreaticobiliary secretion. Nine healthy volunteers (age, 22-52 years) were studied on three occasions in random order during (a) intravenous saline (control), (b) hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamping (HG; plasma glucose at 15 mM), and (c) euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamping (HI; plasma insulin at 150 mU/L, glucose at 4-5 mM). Duodenal outputs of bilirubin, amylase, trypsin, and bicarbonate were measured under basal conditions and during CCK infusion (0.25 and 0.5 IDU/kg/h). Basal pancreaticobiliary secretion was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during both HG and HI. During low-dose CCK stimulation, HG significantly (p < 0.05) reduced bilirubin and trypsin output compared with control. In contrast, HI did not significantly reduce pancreatic enzyme and bilirubin output during low-dose CCK infusion. During high-dose CCK infusion, neither HI nor HG influenced pancreatic enzyme and bilirubin output. Pancreatic bicarbonate output was not influenced by CCK and remained significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during HI and HG compared with control. It is concluded that during both acute hyperglycemia and euglycemic hyperinsulinemia, basal pancreaticobiliary secretion is significantly reduced. CCK-stimulated pancreatic enzyme and bilirubin output is significantly reduced only during hyperglycemia. The inhibitory effect of hyperglycemia on pancreaticobiliary secretion in healthy volunteers may occur independent of insulin.

Effect of acute hyperglycemia on basal, secretin and secretin + cholecystokinin stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion in humans.

Pancreatico-biliary secretion is reduced during acute hyperglycemia. We investigated whether alterations in pancreatico-biliary flow or volume output are responsible for the observed reduction in duodenal output of pancreatic enzymes and bilirubin during hyperglycemia. Eight healthy subjects were studied on two occasions during normoglycemia and hyperglycemia (15 mmol/l). Pancreatico-biliary output was measured by aspiration using a recovery marker under basal conditions (60 min), during secretin infusion (0.1 CU/kg.h) for 60 min and during secretin + CCK (0.5 IDU/kg.h) infusion for 60 min. Secretin was infused to stimulate pancreatico-biliary flow and volume output. Secretin significantly (P<0.005-P<0.05) increased volume and bicarbonate output and CCK significantly (P<0.01) increased the output of bilirubin, pancreatic enzymes, bicarbonate and volume, both during normoglycemia and hyperglycemia. During hyperglycemia basal, secretin stimulated and secretin + CCK stimulated total pancreatico-biliary output were significantly (P<0.005-P<0.05) reduced compared to normoglycemia. The incremental outputs, however, were not significantly different between hyper- and normoglycemia. Pancreatic volume output was significantly (P<0.05) reduced during hyperglycemia compared to normoglycemia under basal conditions (31+/-16 m/h versus 132+/-33 m/h) during secretin infusion (130+/-17 ml/h versus 200+/-34 m/h) and during secretin + CCK infusion (370+/-39 ml/h versus 573+/-82 ml/h). Plasma PP levels were significantly (P<0.05) reduced during hyperglycemia. It is concluded that 1) hyperglycemia significantly reduces basal pancreatico-biliary output 2) the incremental pancreaticobiliary output in response to secretin or secretin + CCK infusion is not significantly affected during hyperglycemia, 3) a reduction in volume output contributes to the inhibitory effect of hyperglycemia on pancreatico-biliary secretion, 4) hyperglycemia reduces PP secretion suggesting vagal-cholinergic inhibition of pancreatico-biliary secretion and volume during hyperglycemia.

Hyperglycemia reduces pancreaticobiliary secretion in response to modified sham feeding in humans.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We have investigated the effect of acute hyperglycemia on pancreaticobiliary secretion and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) release. METHODS: Duodenal outputs of bilirubin, trypsin, lipase, amylase and bicarbonate were measured using a recovery marker under basal conditions and in response to modified sham feeding (MSF) in 6 healthy subjects on two separate occasions: during normoglycemia and during acute hyperglycemia (15 mmol/l). RESULTS: During hyperglycemia the basal pancreaticobiliary output was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced. During normoglycemia MSF significantly (p < 0.05) increased the output of bilirubin and pancreatic enzymes; during hyperglycemia only the output of pancreatic enzymes increased significantly (p < 0.05) over basal. During MSF the outputs of bilirubin (16 +/- 4 vs. 4 +/- 2 micromol/30 min), trypsin (26 +/- 7 vs. 7 +/- 4 U/30 min), lipase (36 +/- 11 vs. 15 +/- 6 kU/30 min), amylase (3.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.7 kU/30 min) and bicarbonate (0.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.1 mmol/30 min) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during hyperglycemia compared to normoglycemia. During hyperglycemia basal and MSF-stimulated PP levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced compared to normoglycemia. MSF did not significantly influence plasma cholecystokinin levels in both experiments. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates (1) that the blood glucose levels affect basal and cephalic stimulated pancreaticobiliary secretion and (2) that the PP secretion during hyperglycemia is reduced, suggesting impaired vagal cholinergic activity during hyperglycemia.

Effect of bombesin on esophageal motility in humans.

We have investigated the effect of bombesin on esophageal motility and explored the mechanism of action of bombesin. Eight healthy subjects were studied in random order during intravenous administration of (1) bombesin, (2) bombesin + vagal cholinergic receptor blockade with atropine and (3) bombesin + somatostatin. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and esophageal body motility were recorded continuously by Dent-sleeve manometry. Bombesin significantly (p < 0.01) increased LESP from 20 +/- 2 mmHg to 43 +/- 6 mmHg. Neither atropine nor somatostatin significantly reduced the bombesin-induced increases in LESP. Bombesin significantly (p<0.05) increased peristaltic wave amplitude (from 61 +/- 4 to 105 +/- 9 mmHg) and duration (from 2.9 +/- 0.2 to 4.8 +/- 0.3 s) in the mid and distal part of the esophagus. Neither atropine nor somatostatin significantly reduced the esophageal body motor response to bombesin. In conclusion (1) bombesin significantly increases LESP and affects esophageal body motility by increasing peristaltic wave amplitude and duration and (2) the effect of bombesin on esophageal motility is not dependent on vagal cholinergic mechanisms and is not mediated by the action of gastrointestinal hormones released by bombesin.

Hyperglycaemia reduces gastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in humans.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have pointed to the role of plasma glucose in the regulation of gastrointestinal function. METHODS: We have investigated the effect of acute hyperglycaemia on gastric acid secretion and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) release. Gastric acid output was measured under basal conditions and in response to intravenous infusion of gastrin-17 in two doses: 5 pmol kg-1 h for 60 min and 15 pmol kg-1 h for another 60 min. Seven healthy subjects were studied during normoglycaemia and during acute hyperglycaemia at 15 mmol L-1. Acid output was measured by continuous aspiration using phenol red as recovery marker. Plasma PP levels were determined at regular intervals. RESULTS: Gastrin infusion at 5 pmol kg-1 h significantly (P < 0.05) increased acid output both during normoglycaemia and during hyperglycaemia. Gastrin infusion at 15 pmol kg-1 h further and significantly (P < 0.05) increased the acid output during both experiments. Hyperglycaemia significantly (P < 0. 05) reduced basal acid output (2.5 +/- 0.9 vs. 6.3 +/- 1.9 mmol h-1), low-dose gastrin stimulated acid output (6.5 +/- 1.7 vs. 13.0 +/- 1. 8 mmol h-1) and high-dose gastrin stimulated acid output (11.7 +/- 3. 0 vs. 19.4 +/- 3.0 mmol h-1) compared with normoglycaemia. Plasma PP levels were not stimulated by gastrin-17 infusion and were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced during hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: (a) Basal and gastrin-17-stimulated gastric acid secretion are reduced during hyperglycaemia; (b) infusion of gastrin-17 to physiological post-prandial levels does not affect plasma PP levels; (c) plasma PP levels are reduced during hyperglycaemia, suggesting vagal-cholinergic inhibition of gastric acid secretion during hyperglycaemia.

Effect of acute hyperglycemia on basal and bombesin-stimulated pancreaticobiliary secretion in humans.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of acute hyperglycemia on basal and bombesin-stimulated pancreaticobiliary secretion. Seven healthy subjects participated in two experiments performed in random order during normoglycemia and hyperglycemic clamping at 15 mM. Duodenal outputs of bilirubin, trypsin, amylase, and bicarbonate were measured by aspiration with a recovery marker under basal conditions for 60 min and during continuous infusion of bombesin (1 ng/kg x min) for 60 min. Plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels were determined at regular intervals. Compared to normoglycemia, during hyperglycemia basal outputs of bilirubin (17 +/- 3 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.4 micromol/60 min), trypsin (24 +/- 4 vs. 4 +/- 1 U/60 min), amylase (12 +/- 1 vs. 3 +/- 1 kU/60 min), and bicarbonate (2.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/60 min) were significantly p < 0.05) reduced. Bombesin significantly (p < 0.05) increased pancreaticobiliary output during both normo- and hyperglycemia. During hyperglycemia bombesin-stimulated 60-min outputs of bilirubin, trypsin, amylase, and bicarbonate were not significantly different compared to those during normoglycemia. Basal and bombesin-stimulated plasma PP concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during hyperglycemia, but plasma CCK levels were not significantly different. It is concluded that acute hyperglycemia reduces basal but does not affect bombesin-induced pancreaticobiliary secretion.

Effect of insulin on basal and cholecystokinin-stimulated gallbladder motility in humans.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute hyperglycemia inhibits gallbladder contraction. In non-diabetic subjects this inhibitory effect may result from endogenous hyperinsulinemia. Therefore we investigated the effects of acute hyperglycemia and euglycemic hyperinsulinemia on basal and cholecystokinin-stimulated gallbladder motility. METHODS: Gallbladder volume (ultrasonography) and duodenal bilirubin output were studied simultaneously in nine healthy volunteers (age 20-52 years) on 3 separate occasions in random order during: (a) saline infusion (control), (b) hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamping (HG; plasma glucose at 15 mmol/l), and (c) euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamping (HI; plasma insulin at 150 mU/l, glucose at 4-5 mmol/l). After a 2-h basal clamp period, cholecystokinin was infused intravenously for 60 min at 0.25 IDU x kg(-1) x h(-1), followed by another 60 min at 0.5 IDU x kg(-1) x h(-1). RESULTS: HI and HG significantly (p<0.05) reduced basal duodenal bilirubin output compared to control, while basal gallbladder volume did not change. At the low dose cholecystokinin, gallbladder emptying during HG (25+/-3%) and HI (39+/-4%) was significantly (p<0.01) reduced compared to control (61+/-4%). The inhibitory effect of HG was significantly (p<0.05) stronger compared to HI. Duodenal bilirubin output during the low dose cholecystokinin was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by HG, but not by HI. No inhibitory effect of HG and HI on gallbladder emptying and duodenal bilirubin output was observed with the high dose of cholecystokinin. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy subjects acute hyperglycemia and euglycemic hyperinsulinemia reduce basal duodenal bilirubin output and inhibit gallbladder emptying stimulated by low dose cholecystokinin. These results suggest that insulin is involved in the inhibitory effect of hyperglycemia on basal and cholecystokinin-stimulated gallbladder motility.

Obese women are less sensitive for the satiety effects of bombesin than lean women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether infusion of bombesin, when combined with a gastric preload, influence satiety and foot intake in obese and lean healthy women. DESIGN: Double blind, placebo controlled study. SETTING: Department of Gastroenterology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: Obese (n = 7) and lean (n = 7) healthy women. INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous infusion of bombesin (0.09 nmol/kg ideal weight/h) or placebo for 165 min. Gastric preload of banana slices was administered at time 60 min. Meal ingestion started at time 75 min (banana slices). Food intake was calculated and satiety was measured by visual analog scales. RESULTS: During infusion of bombesin the amount of food eaten by the lean individuals (193+/-37 g) was significantly reduced compared to saline infusion (365+/-42 g, P < 0.05). However, bombesin induced no significant feeding suppression in obese women when compared to saline (241+/-46 vs 301+/-45 g, respectively). The decrease in food intake during bombesin infusion compared to saline was significantly greater in lean subjects (173+/-30 g) than in obese subjects (59+/-35 g; P < 0.05). Only in lean subjects subjective preprandial hunger feelings were significantly affected by bombesin infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of bombesin, when combined with a gastric preload, inhibits food intake and increases satiety in lean women. Obese women are less sensitive for these bombesin induced satiety effects.

Effects of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on satiety in humans.

Hyperglycemia may influence satiety. One mechanism by which glucose could influence food intake is hyperinsulinemia. Therefore, we investigated the short-term effects of acute hyperglycemia and euglycemic hyperinsulinemia on satiety. Six healthy volunteers (aged 20 to 26 years) were studied for 240 minutes on three separate occasions in random order during (1) intravenous (i.v.) saline (control), (2) acute hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia (HG) with plasma glucose at 15 mmol/L, and (3) euglycemic hyperinsulinemia (HI) with plasma insulin at 80 mU/L and glucose at 4 to 5 mmol/L. Subjective criteria for appetite like the wish to eat, prospective feeding intentions ("How much food do you think you can eat?"), and feelings of hunger and fullness were scored on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) at 30-minute intervals. Appetite was also measured every 60 minutes with the use of a food selection list (FSL). Appetite (prospective feeding intentions, feelings of hunger, and the wish to eat) gradually increased over basal levels during control conditions and HI. In contrast, prospective feeding intentions and feelings of hunger gradually decreased during HG and were significantly (P < .05) reduced versus basal and control levels during the last hour of the experiment. The wish to eat followed the same pattern. Feelings of fullness did not significantly change in all three experiments. Total food selection was not significantly decreased during HG, but the preference for fat-rich or carbohydrate-rich items tended to be reduced. The study suggests that in humans hyperglycemia induces satiety. This effect seems not to be mediated by insulin, since HI had no effect on appetite. However, a potentiating effect of endogenous insulin on the satiating effect of high blood glucose levels cannot be excluded.

Influence of hyperglycemia on the satiating effect of CCK in humans.

In the present study the effects of intraduodenal (i.d.) fat (endogenous CCK) and of CCK infusion on satiety were studied during normo-and hyperglycemic conditions. Eight healthy subjects participated in two protocols consisting of two experiments each. First protocol: (a) normoglycemia (control) with i.d. emulsified fat (i.d. fat) infusion, (b) acute hyperglycemia (HG) with plasma glucose levels stabilized at 15 mmol/L and i.d. fat infusion. In the second protocol the effect of exogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) on satiety was studied during normo- and hyperglycemia. Intraduodenal fat (Intralipid 10%) was infused at a dose of 1 g/h via a nasoduodenal tube in the first protocol, whereas in the second protocol CCK-33 was infused intravenously at a dose of 0.5 IDU/kg x h. Satiety was scored using visual analog scales (VAS). Plasma CCK levels were determined at regular intervals. During infusion of i.d. fat and i.v. CCK the VAS scores of wish to eat, hunger, and prospective feeding decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the normoglycemic experiments. During hyperglycemia satiety did not significantly change in the basal period; however, the scores of wish to eat, hunger, and prospective feeding increased significantly (p<0.05) when i.d. fat or i.v. CCK was administered. Plasma CCK levels in the basal and the stimulated period were not significantly different between normo- and hyperglycemia. In summary, the present study shows that in healthy humans volunteers 1) during normoglycemic conditions satiety can be induced by very low dose of i.d. fat and by CCK infusion, 2) during hyperglycemia the effect of i.d. fat and CCK on satiety are reversed, resulting in increased appetite.

Effect of hyperglycemia on gastric acid secretion during the gastric phase of digestion.

We have examined the effect of an acute stable hyperglycemia on gastric acid secretion during the gastric phase of digestion. Gastric acid output was measured with a recovery marker (phenol red) under basal conditions and after repeated intragastric instillation of a liquid meal in seven healthy subjects on two separate occasions: during normoglycemia (serum glucose, 15 mM). Premeal gastric acid output was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced during hyperglycemia compared with during normoglycemia (2.6 +/- 1.0 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.8 mmol/h). Intragastric meal-stimulated incremental acid output during hyperglycemia was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with during normoglycemia (19 +/- 4 vs. 38 +/- 9 mmol/120 min). Meal-stimulated gastrin release during hyperglycemia was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with that during normoglycemia (4.9 +/- 1.3 vs. 6.6 +/- 1.6 micrograms.1(-1).120 min-1). The intragastric meal induced significant (P < 0.05) increases in pancreatic polypeptide concentrations only during normoglycemia. During hyperglycemia, recovery rates of gastric contents were significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared with during normoglycemia, both before (81 +/- 4 vs. 71 +/- 6%) and after (72 +/- 4 vs. 57 +/- 4%) meal ingestion, pointing to delayed gastric emptying of liquids during hyperglycemia. In conclusion, 1) gastric acid secretion under unstimulated conditions and during the gastric phase of digestion is reduced during hyperglycemia; 2) meal-stimulated gastrin release is significantly reduced during hyperglycemia; 3) the reduction in meal-stimulated acid output is correlated with the reduction in gastrin releases; and 4) pancreatic polypeptide secretion is significantly reduced during hyperglycemia, pointing to impaired vagal cholinergic tone.

Effect of acute hyperglycemia on basal and cholecystokinin stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion in humans.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of acute hyperglycemia on pancreatico-biliary secretion in healthy subjects. Duodenal outputs of bilirubin, amylase, trypsin and bicarbonate were measured by aspiration using a recovery marker under basal condition for 75 min and during continuous infusion of CCK (0.5 IDU/kg.h for 60 min). Seven healthy subjects participated in two experiments performed in random order during normoglycemia and during acute hyperglycemic clamping at 15 mmol/l. At regular intervals plasma PP levels were determined as an indirect measure of vagal-cholinergic tone. Basal pancreatico-biliary secretion was significantly (p<0.05) reduced during acute hyperglycemia. CCK significantly (p<0.05) increased bilirubin, amylase and trypsin output both during normo- and hyperglycemia. During the initial 30 min of CCK infusion the bilirubin, amylase and trypsin outputs were significantly (p<0.05) inhibited in the hyperglycemic experiment compared to normoglycemia. In the following 30 min of CCK infusion the bilirubin, amylase and trypsin output were not different between hyper- and normoglycemia. Basal and CCK-stimulated plasma PP concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) reduced during hyperglycemia. In summary: 1) basal pancreatico-biliary secretion is significantly reduced during acute hyperglycemia 2) during hyperglycemia CCK-stimulated pancreatico-biliary secretion is also significantly reduced with the pattern of a delayed response 3) hyperglycemia inhibits basal and CCK-stimulated PP secretion suggesting impaired vagal-cholinergic activity during hyperglycemia.

The role of cholecystokinin and the cholinergic system in intravenous amino acid-induced gallbladder emptying.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that separate intravenous infusion of amino acids (IVAA) at high doses induces gallbladder emptying. However, little is known about the mechanisms mediating IVAA-induced gallbladder contraction. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To investigate whether the effect of IVAA on gallbladder motility is mediated by the cholinergic system and/or cholecystokinin (CCK), the major hormonal stimulus for gallbladder contraction. Six healthy male volunteers were studied in random order on five occasions using: (a) IVAA, (b) loxiglumide (CR 1505, a selective CCK-A receptor antagonist), (c) IVAA plus loxiglumide, (d) atropine and (e) IVAA plus atropine. Gallbladder volumes (ultrasonography) and plasma CCK levels (radioimmunoassay) were determined every 15 min for 60 min before and for 120 min during intravenous infusion of amino acids (Vamin 18EF; 250 mg protein/kg/h) and/or loxiglumide (10 mg/kg/h) and/or atropine (0.005 mg/kg/h). RESULTS: IVAA significantly (P < 0.05) reduced gallbladder volume from 32 +/- 5 ml to 17 +/- 2 ml but induced only a small and transient increase in plasma CCK levels. Loxiglumide given alone significantly (P < 0.05) increased fasting gallbladder volume to 190% of the basal value. IVAA-induced gallbladder emptying was completely abolished by loxiglumide. Maximal gallbladder relaxation during IVAA plus loxiglumide was not significantly different compared to loxiglumide given alone. Concomitant administration of atropine also significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited IVAA-induced gallbladder emptying. CONCLUSION: In healthy volunteers intravenous infusion of high doses of amino acids results in a significant gallbladder contraction, which is inhibited by CCK-A receptor blockade and by atropine.

Effect of acute hyperglycaemia on basal and fat-induced exocrine pancreatic secretion in humans.

1. We have investigated the effect of acute hyperglycaemia on pancreatico-biliary secretion in healthy subjects. Duodenal outputs of trypsin, lipase, amylase, bicarbonate and bilirubin were measured for 90 min under basal conditions and for 90 min in response to intrajejunal fat administration (1 g/h) on 2 separate days: during normoglycaemia (blood glucose 5 mmol/l) and during acute hyperglycaemia aimed at 15 mmol/l. Plasma cholecystokinin levels, as the major hormonal stimulus of pancreatic and biliary secretion, and plasma pancreatic polypeptide levels, as an indirect measure of vagal-cholinergic tone, were determined at regular intervals. 2. In the basal period pancreatico-biliary secretion was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced during hyperglycaemia compared with normoglycaemia. During normoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia intrajejunal fat significantly (P < 0.05) stimulated pancreaticobiliary secretion. However, during hyperglycaemia, fat-stimulated 90 min pancreatico-biliary secretion was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with normoglycaemia: trypsin (23 +/- 7 units versus 66 +/- 20 units), lipase (36 +/- 8 k-units versus 74 +/- 18 k-units), amylase (8 +/- 2 k-units versus 18 +/- 5 k-units) and bilirubin (32 +/- 8 mumol versus 71 +/- 14 mumol). Plasma cholecystokinin levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) during fat administration and were not different between the two experiments. Plasma pancreatic polypeptide levels were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced during hyperglycaemia both in the basal period and during intrajejunal fat administration. 3. It is concluded that basal and fat-stimulated pancreatico-biliary secretion are significantly reduced during acute hyperglycaemia. Acute hyperglycaemia does not affect intrajejunal fat-stimulated cholecystokinin secretion. Acute hyperglycaemia inhibits basal and stimulated pancreatic polypeptide secretion suggesting vagal-cholinergic inhibition of pancreatico-biliary secretion during hyperglycaemia.