Effects of nutrients on gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying after Billroth-I gastrectomy in dogs

We wanted to clarify the way in which nutrients influence gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying following distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I gastroduodenostomy. Four gastrectomized dogs were equipped with extraluminal strain gauge transducers. Gastric emptying was measured radiographically. Four intact dogs were used as controls for emptying studies. Following gastrectomy, gastric emptying of both acaloric and nutrient meals was rapid in the initial period of the experiments. Gastric outflow was supported by propagating duodenal contractions. Compared with control dogs, the early emptying of nutrient meals was accelerated. In the following period, nutrients markedly slowed gastric emptying compared with acaloric meals due to a segmenting contractile pattern of the duodenum and a significant diminution of gastrointestinal motility. Results suggest that after Billroth-I gastrectomy (1) the control of gastric emptying by nutrients acts too late to slow the initial enhanced gastric outflow, and (2) the duodenal contractile patterns influence gastric emptying.The study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grant Eh 64/3-1.     

Effects of nutrients on gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying after distal gastrectomy with Roux-Y gastrojejunostomy in dogs

The aim of the study was to clarify whether nutrients are still capable of slowing gastric emptying following Roux-Y gastrectomy, as in normal dogs. Gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying of acaloric and nutritive meals with different viscosities were measured in normal dogs and after a two-thirds Roux-Y gastrectomy. In gastrectomized dogs low-viscosity nutritive meals emptied unduly rapidly in an initial phase, although the frequency and spread of contractions, ie, the propulsive activity of the jejunal Roux limb were diminished. A slow emptying rate during the following period was due to a long-lasting inhibition of gastric and jejunal motility. Medium-viscosity nutritive meals emptied in gastrectomized dogs as slowly as in normal animals, but this effect was primarily caused by the meal viscosity and only secondarily by the nutrients. It is concluded that following Roux-Y gastrectomy a regulation of gastric emptying is preserved; however, the onset of an effective control is delayed, resulting in a rapid initial emptying of low-viscosity meals.Studies were supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grant Eh 64/3-1.     

Gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying after Billroth II gastrectomy in dogs

This study was undertaken to compare the effects of subtotal Billroth II gastrectomy on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility with previously published results in intact dogs and in dogs with subtotal Roux-Y gastrectomy. Extraluminal strain gauge transducers were used to study gastrointestinal motility after Billroth II gastrectomy in four conscious dogs. Gastric emptying was measured radiographically. In Billroth II dogs gastric emptying of low-viscosity meals was biphasic with an initial rapid emptying. The addition of nutrients to low-viscosity meals delayed gastric emptying accompanied with reduction in gastric and jejunal motility. Similar to that in Roux-Y dogs, gastric emptying of noncaloric medium-viscosity meals was delayed because of segmenting motor patterns of the jejunal loops, in contrast to the propulsive jejunal motor pattern in intact dogs. Nutrients added to medium-viscosity meals did not change the jejunal motor pattern; gastric emptying was delayed compared with intact dogs. Results show that meal viscosity and jejunal motor pattern influence gastric emptying after Billroth II gastrectomy.This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grant Eh 64/3-2.     

Delayed gastric emptying after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric surgery may potentiate delayed gastric emptying. The aims of the study were to determine the frequency and causes of delayed gastric emptying in patients who had undergone distal gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma and to assess which factors predispose to its development. METHODOLOGY: 209 patients, who had undergone gastrectomy, were evaluated. RESULTS: Delayed gastric emptying occurred in 4.3% of patients receiving a Billroth-I, and 15.5% of patients receiving a Roux-Y reconstruction (p = 0.01). The patients who had these consecutive symptoms following Roux-Y operation were all clinically diagnosed as having Roux stasis syndrome. The delayed gastric emptying after Roux-Y operation was more frequent in patients receiving extensive lymph node dissection than those receiving conventional dissection (p<0.05). The symptoms spontaneously subsided, and postoperative body weight loss was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the strong association between delayed gastric emptying and the Roux-Y procedure, it enables a relatively early return to oral intake.     

Gastric emptying for liquids and solids after distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I reconstruction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although distal gastrectomy followed by Billroth-I reconstruction has been a standard surgical procedure for over 100 years, gastric emptying of liquid and solids after this procedure remains poorly understood, despite its contribution to postgastrectomy complications such as dumping syndrome and reflux esophagitis. A simple way to standardize measurement and generate normal values is needed. This study proposed a new, accurate and easy method, "dual phase method", for gastric emptying after distal gastrectomy. METHODOLOGY: Liquid- and solid-phase gastric emptying were measured using a combined test consisting of acetaminophen and sulfamethizole capsule ingestion, respectively. Data from 12 patients (B-I group) who had undergone distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection and truncal vagotomy followed by Billroth-I reconstruction were compared with those from 14 healthy volunteers (control group). RESULTS: A two-factor repeated measures ANOVA (analysis of variance) demonstrated a highly significant difference in the sequential changes in the serum acetaminophen concentration after ingestion between the two groups (p<0.0001). On the other hand, the sequential changes in the serum sulfamethizole concentration after ingestion was similar in the two groups (p=0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric emptying of liquids is rapid after distal gastrectomy followed by Billroth-I reconstruction. However, emptying of solids is unchanged. The data obtained in this study can be a point of reference for comparing gastric emptying following gastrectomy.     

Effects of enhanced viscosity on canine gastric and intestinal motility

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of enhanced viscosity on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motor and myoelectrical activities in dogs. METHOD: The study was performed in eight healthy female hound dogs chronically implanted with four pairs of gastric and two pairs of intestinal serosal electrodes and a duodenal fistula. Each dog was studied in three sessions and fed with three test meals with different viscosity. Gastric emptying was monitored for 2 h simultaneously with gastric and intestinal myoelectrical recordings. RESULTS: The liquid test meal containing either 0.78% or 1.21% of galactomannan significantly delayed gastric emptying but had no effect on postprandial blood glucose levels in comparison with the meal containing no galactomannan. The liquid test meal containing either 0.78% or 1.21% of galactomannan significantly increased the frequency and strength of intestinal motility but had no effect on intestinal slow wave rhythms. The product with enhanced viscosity had no effect on gastric motor activity or gastric slow waves. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that enhanced viscosity delays gastric emptying, increases postprandial intestinal but not gastric motility, and has no effects on gastric or intestinal slow waves.     

Gastric emptying and its relationship to antral contractile activity.

Gastric emptying and antral contractile activity were simultaneously measured in 3 dogs with gastric and duodenal fistulas. Contractile activity was monitored by two force strain gauge transducers on the serosal surface of the antrum of 2 dogs and a single strain gauge transducer on the serosal surface of both the antrum and fundus of the 3rd dog. Both the frequency and force (motility index) of antral contractions were determined for each 1 min period. Gastric emptying and contractile activity were recorded and compared minute by minute with test meals (154 mM saline) of 60, 120, 240, and 480 ml. Although the rate of gastric emptying increased with the frequency and force of antral contractions, up to 67 ml min-1 (mean 6.9 ml min-1) were emptied without measurable antral contractile activity and 0 to 96 ml min-1 (mean 19.4 ml min-1) were emptied during maximal antral activity (minute motility index greater than 119 mm). Antral contractile activity increased with the size of the test meal and decreased expoentially with the rate of gastric emptying. Fundal contractile activity was generally absent during the test meal. These studies suggest that although the antrum has a significant role in the emptying of liquids, other undefined factors may modify its effect on gastric emptying.     

Antroduodenal motor response to solid-liquid and homogenized meals.

The effect of the physical state of food on antroduodenal motor activity and the pattern of the emptying of an aqueous phase marker were examined in 6 healthy volunteers using an intestinal perfusion technique and intraluminal pressure transducers. Ingestion of a solid-liquid meal produced marked phasic changes in pressure in the distal antrum, lasting 92 +/- 10 min (mean +/- SE), while, in contrast, ingestion of the same nutrients in a homogenized state resulted in complete absence of distal antral changes in pressure lasting 133 +/- 12 min. The motor responses of the proximal antrum and duodenum were similar for the two meals. Both meals emptied during a 3-hr period, the pattern of emptying of the aqueous phase marker being similar for the two meals except for the first 40 min, when emptying was more rapid after the solid-liquid meal. The homogenized meal emptied despite the absence of changes in distal antral pressure. The gastrin response was similar for the two meals and is therefore not responsible for the different patterns of antral motility and gastric emptying.     

Motor function of gastric antrum and pylorus for evacuation of low and high viscosity meals in dogs.

In five conscious dogs motility of the antrum, pyloric sphincter, and duodenum was recorded with strain gauge transducers and induction coils. Gastric evacuation of low, medium, and high viscosity meals was measured via a duodenal cannula and observed simultaneously by radiography. Computer analysis of the propagation of the gastric waves revealed increased velocity in the distal antrum but no simultaneous contractions of the terminal antrum and pyloric sphincter. Radiography showed, and measurements of the antral diameter confirmed, that the indentations of the gastric waves were significantly deeper with the low viscosity liquid meal compared with the medium and high viscosity meals. Thereby, retropulsion of the medium and high viscosity ingesta was produced. Results indicated that gastric evacuation was regulated predominantly by the depth of the peristaltic indentation, which depended on the viscosity of the gastric contents. Nothing indicated that the phasic contractions of the pyloric sphincter were of importance for the regulation of gastric emptying.     

Effect of pectin on gastric emptying and gastroduodenal motility in normal subjects

The effects of pectin ingestion on gastric emptying, gastroduodenal motility, and plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and glucagon were studied. Initial studies demonstrated that 15 g of pectin was the optimal dose. Subsequently 6 healthy male volunteers were studied on 4 separate days at random. On day 1, gastric emptying of a liquid and a solid meal was assessed by radioisotope technique using 99mTc-dithiopropylthiomine. On day 2, the gastric emptying study was repeated with the addition of pectin to each meal. Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and glucagon also were determined during these 2 days. On day 3, the effects of liquid and solid meals on gastroduodenal motility were assessed by means of a perfused catheter system. On day 4, the motility study was repeated with the addition of pectin to each meal. Pectin supplementation caused a significant prolongation of gastric emptying half-time of both liquid and solid meals (p less than 0.05). The addition of pectin, however, did not have any significant effect on gastroduodenal motility other than increasing the duodenal motility index 10 min after the liquid meal. The addition of pectin to the liquid meal lowered plasma levels of insulin at 15, 30, and 45 min, and glucagon levels 15 min after the meal. No effect was noted on blood sugar levels. On the other hand, the addition of pectin to the solid meal had no effect on plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and glucagon. We conclude that pectin supplementation delays gastric emptying of both liquid and solid meals in normal human subjects without causing notable changes in gastroduodenal motility or significant variations in pancreatic hormone plasma levels. The pectin effect on gastric emptying may be caused solely by increasing the viscosity of the meals.     

Jejunal interposition helps prevent reflux gastritis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Jejunal interposition after distal gastrectomy is reported to prevent both duodenogastric reflux and rapid gastric emptying. However, comparing primary reconstruction with this procedure and Billroth-I in terms of clinical evaluation by the same surgeon is rare. In this study, the benefit of this procedure was retrospectively evaluated as compared to the Billroth-I method. METHODOLOGY: Of 30 patients with early gastric cancer located at the middle third of the stomach, 15 underwent distal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition and the other 15 underwent Billroth-I gastrectomy by the same surgeon. Isoperistaltic jejunal interposition measuring 10-12 cm was used. All the anastomoses without jejunojejunostomy were performed using auto-suture staplers. Assessment of postoperative symptoms and functions was performed one year after surgery. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly longer after jejunal interposition (p < 0.01). No serious complications occurred in either group, and the hospital stay after operation was also similar. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative symptoms, food intake, and recovery of body weight. The incidence of bile regurgitation and reflux gastritis was very low or zero in the jejunal interposition group, which indicated differences (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Reflux esophagitis was not found in jejunal interposition, but two patients after Billroth I showed grade B esophagitis. As regards gastric emptying, the retention capacity was very poor and there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Jejunal interposition after distal gastrectomy was superior to the Billroth-I procedure in terms of reflux gastritis prevention. However, dumping syndrome and rapid gastric emptying were not prevented.     

Canine resistances to gastric emptying of liquid nutrients after ulcer surgery

In two groups of dogs, we studied average rates of gastric emptying of 0.15 M NaCl, 0.6 M glucose, or 0.04 M oleate liquid meals while gastric pressures were controlled by a barostat and compared this emptying to spontaneous gastric emptying of the same three meals. In the first group of dogs, this comparison was made before and after truncal vagotomy+pyloroplasty (TVP); and in the second group, before and after antrectomy, first with gastroduodenostomy (A-BI) and then with Roux-Y bypass (A-RY). Under barostatically controlled gastric pressures, gastric emptying of oleate and glucose remained slower than emptying of saline before as well as after TVP or A-BI and A-RY. However, all operations accelerated initial spontaneous emptying, compressing differences between half-emptying times of the three meals. We conclude postfundic resistances remain after TVP or antrectomy but may act too late to alter rapid initial emptying.This work was supported by research funds from the Veterans Administration and by funds from the National Institutes of Health (AM 19182 and AM 17328). Mr. Williams (Department of Surgery, University of Leeds, England) performed this work under a Fullbright International Fellowship.     

Relationship between Gastroesophageal Reflux and Gastric Emptying after Distal Gastrectomy

Objectives : Our objective was to determine whether delayed gastric emptying contributes to gastroesophageal reflux after distal gastrectomy. Methods : To study gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux, we used a tecnnetium-labeled mixed liquid and solid test meal in 46 distal gastrectomy patients (19 with reflux symptoms and 27 without) and in 10 controls. The relationship of reflux symptoms to gastric emptying and the correlation between gastric emptying and the scintigraphic reflux index were evaluated. Results : The reflux index was significantly higher in the symptomatic group (9.76 ± 5.64%) than in the asymptomatic group (4.45 ± 2.70%). The gastric emptying half time was significantly longer in the symptomatic group (53.13 ± 19.39 min) than in asymptomatic group (34.26 ± 20.40 min) and in normal controls (27.31 ± 4.60 min). There was a significant linear correlation between the scintigraphic reflux index and the gastric emptying half time (r = 0.5005, p < 0.001). Conclusions : These findings suggest that scintigraphy is a reasonably accurate test for detecting gastroesophageal reflux and that delayed gastric emptying plays an important role in the development of reflux after distal gastrectomy.     

Gastric emptying following Finney pyloroplasty and vagotomy

Gastric emptying was evaluated in a series of unanesthetized dogs in the intact state, following Finney pyloroplasty, and with the addition of vagotomy. Sodium chromate labeled test meals of glucose, trisodium citrate, and trisodium citrate-fat were used. Finney pyloroplasty resulted in a trend for delayed emptying of fat from the stomach. The trisodium citrate test meal increased the levels of gastric secretion after pyloroplasty.Association of our previous motility data based on pyloroplasty studies with the current gastric-emptying evaluations indicate that too large a stoma between the antrum and duodenum is an impediment to normal gastric emptying of fatty meals.The authors appreciate the technical assistance of Mr. James E. Copp, Department of Biostatics, Parke, Davis Research Labs.     

Real-time ultrasonographic assessment of antroduodenal motility after ingestion of solid and liquid meals by patients with functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although antroduodenal motility has usually been studied by using manometric or scintigraphic methods, ultrasonography is an established, non-invasive method to evaluate duodenogastric motility. We used ultrasonography to evaluate gastric motility in patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with functional dyspepsia and 36 asymptomatic healthy subjects were given liquid and solid test meals. We investigated the gastric emptying rate, motility index, and duodenogastric reflux for the liquid meal and gastric emptying time, half-emptying time, and motility index for the solid meal. RESULTS: After the liquid meal, the gastric emptying rate and motility index were significantly lower and the duodenogastric reflux was significantly higher in functional dyspepsia patients than in healthy subjects. After the solid meal, gastric emptying time, half-emptying time and the motility index were significantly lower in the patients than in the healthy subjects. Delayed gastric emptying of both meals occurred in only 20.3% of patients. Delayed emptying of the liquid or solid meal occurred in 62.5% of patients. In both groups, gastric emptying time of the solid meal was positively correlated with the motility index at 15 min post-ingestion. CONCLUSION: In functional dyspepsia patients, delayed gastric emptying of a solid meal was related to antral hypomotility during the early postprandial phase. Ultrasonographic assessment of gastric motility in both liquid and solid meals may provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia.     

Gastric emptying rate for solid and for liquid test meals in patients with dyspeptic symptoms after partial gastrectomy and after vagotomy followed by partial gastrectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric emptying rate for solid and for liquid test meals was investigated retrospectively in patients with longstanding epigastric distress after partial gastrectomy, either as primary treatment or after failure of vagotomy for peptic ulcer in order to find an explanation for the postoperative symptoms. METHODOLOGY: Radionuclide-labeled liquid and solid test meals were used to evaluate gastric emptying rate, at least one year after surgery. RESULTS: The lag phase for liquid test meals disappeared in all operated patients. Partial gastrectomy usually lead to fast emptying but this resective procedure, if performed after vagotomy, lead to stasis in a significant number of patients. Gastric emptying rate for solids increased in only a few of these symptomatic patients. In most of them however, there was a normal to decreased emptying rate. If a vagotomy had preceded the resective procedure, gastric emptying rate decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In all these symptomatic patients, gastric emptying had been disturbed for at least one type of test meal. This makes investigation for both meals necessary, especially since there is a lack of correlation. Furthermore, if vagotomy fails to prevent ulcer recurrence, one should carefully consider all options before performing partial gastrectomy since gastric emptying rate after these consecutive procedures worsens considerably.     

Gastric emptying of liquids in rats with acute renal insufficiency.

The gastric emptying of watery meals was studied in 112 male Wistar rats. The meals utilized were saline and glucose-saline solutions whose emptying was assessed 10 and 30 minutes after administration. A liquid 5% glucose meal and a 0.25 M sodium bicarbonate meal were assessed after 30 minutes and a commercial meal was assessed after 60 minutes. For each study time eight control animals and eight animals bilaterally nephrectomized 48 hours before the gastric emptying tests were used. The meals were labeled with red phenol and the gastric residue was determined by standard methodology. A blood sample to determine serum creatine and blood gases analysis was obtained from 22 animals of the control group and the same number of nephrectomized animals. At the time of the gastric emptying tests, the nephrectomized animals had significantly higher levels of creatinine and moderate metabolic acidosis. Results for the saline meal showed that at 10 minutes there was a significant delay in emptying in animals with renal insufficiency. Results for the glucose-saline meal were similar to the saline alone group, except that they did not differ significantly between the control group and the nephrectomized groups. There was a significant delay in the emptying of all the other meals in the animals with renal insufficiency. These data suggest that uremia does not lead to serious disturbances in gastric motility, but that it does interfere with the mechanisms controlling gastric emptying.     

Distal Gastrectomy and Roux-Y Limb in the Rat

After gastrectomy, Roux-Y limb reconstruction leads to duodenojejunal motor disturbances. Because motilin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) play a role in the regulation of digestive motility, their plasma concentrations were determined in rats after Roux-Y gastrectomy. Three months after a distal Roux-Y gastrectomy, coupling of electromyographic recordings and jugular samples were used to perform motilin and PP radioimmunoassays during and between activity fronts (AFs) occurring in the limb and in the duodenojejunum, 20, 40, and 60 min after intragastric instillation of a standard meal (5 ml Realmentyl). Animals that underwent a simple laparotomy, animals having isolated jejunal transection, and animals with Billroth I gastrectomy (BI group) served as control groups. After Roux-Y gastrectomy, the number of AFs in the limb (P < 0.01) and in the duodenum (P < 0.001) was reduced compared to laparotomized rats and the BI group, but did not differ from the number in the Tr group. In the limb, AFs were incompletely propagated or were retrograde in 9 and 3 of 20 animals, respectively. After Roux-Y gastrectomy, motilin concentrations occurred at the same time as each duodenal AF, and as in controls, and were independent from AFs in the limb. Plasma motilin concentrations were higher after Roux-Y reconstruction than in control groups (P < 0.03), and PP level concentrations were not different. After the meal, the interruption of AFs was shorter in Roux-Y reconstruction than in laparotomized and transected animals (P < 0.05) and than in BI group, with no significant difference in the latter. In all groups, plasma motilin and PP concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) and increased (P < 0.001), respectively, after the meal compared to the interdigestive period. After Roux-Y gastrectomy, plasma motilin and PP levels were higher (P < 0.05) and lower (P < 0.05), respectively, compared to controls. In conclusion, AFs in the Roux-Y limb were not associated with plasma motilin concentrations, suggesting a lack of influence of motilin on the interdigestive motor status. The decrease in postprandial plasma PP concentrations may play a role in the shorter interruption of AFs after a meal.     

Relative role of pyloroplasty size,truncal vagotomy,and milk meal volume in canine gastric emptying

The gastric emptying of 10, 20, or 40 ml/kg body mass milk meals was measured before and after Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty of 3, 5, or 7 cm (6 dogs) or truncal vagotomy (3 dogs). The pyloroplasty group then underwent vagotomy, following which the tests were repeated. Initial gastric emptying (in the first 10 min) was increased after 5-and 7-cm pyloroplasties (P<0.01) and particularly after vagotomy with all sizes of pyloroplasty (P=0.001). Regardless of the volume of meal used, after vagotomy and pyloroplasty there was a 51–63% decrease in intragastric volume within the first 10 min. Increased duodenogastric reflux occurred in those dogs who showed rapid initial gastric emptying. After the first 10 min all groups were shown to have virtually normal gastric emptying, except the truncal vagotomy group in which gastric emptying was delayed (P<0.05). It is the combination of pyloroplasty with vagotomy which is required to produce the very rapid initial gastric emptying of a liquid meal following vagotomy with pyloroplasty. It is concluded that two mechanisms control the gastric emptying of a milk meal. The first acts quickly, is dependent on an intact pylorus, and is influenced by the intragastric volume; the second is a more slowly acting mechanism, requiring up to 10 min to have its effect, and is not dependent on an intact pylorus or the intragastric volume. After vagotomy and pyloroplasty, the speed of gastric emptying in the first 10 min is proportional to the original meal volume, and therefore the therapy of postvagotomy diarrhea and dumping with small frequent meals seems rational.This report is based on a PhD (Med) thesis presented to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.This work was funded by the University of the Witwatersrand, Miller Foundation and Medical Research Council of South Africa.     

Postprandial Normal Saline Intake Delays Gastric Emptying of Solids in Conscious Dogs (Partial Involvement of CCK in Its Mechanism)

Although it is known that a caloric liquid mealgiven after food intake delays solid gastric emptying,the effect of a noncaloric liquid is not known. The aimsof this study were to determine the effect of normal saline given at 3 hr after feeding ongastric antral motor activity and gastric emptying andto evaluate the role of endogenous cholecystokinin inthe changes in gastric function induced by postprandial saline intake in conscious dogs. Two cannulaswere implanted in each of five mongrel dogs for infusionof phenolsulfonphthalein into the proximal duodenum andfor aspiration of luminal samples from the distal duodenum. Gastric contractile andemptying activity were measured by the force transducermethod and a freeze-drying method newly developed by ourgroup, respectively. Postprandial pancreaticobiliary secretion was assessed from amylase and bileacid outputs into the duodenum. One hundred grams offreeze-dried dog food was given as a solid meal aftermixing it with 100 ml of normal saline. The dogs were given 100 ml of normal saline per os at 3 hrafter feeding. In another study, intravenousadministration of devazepide, a specificcholecystokinin-A receptor antagonist, at a dose of 0.1mg/kg/hr was begun 15 min before postprandial saline intake andcontinued for 1 hr. Gastric antral motility wassignificantly (P < 0.01) inhibited for 30 min afterthe dogs had drunk saline at 3 hr after feeding. Themean fractional emptying rate of gastric solids inpercentage per 30 min after postprandial saline intakewas significantly (P < 0.05) slower than that in thecontrol study without saline intake at 3 hr after feeding. Amylase output into the duodenum afterpostprandial saline intake showed a gradual increaselasting for about 1 hr, whereas that of bile acidincreased transiently but markedly 15 min after saline intake, in comparison with the control study.Pretreatment with devazepide partially ameliorated thesuppression of gastric antral motility. Postprandialintake of saline inhibited gastric motor activity and delayed solid gastric emptying, whereas itincreased the outputs of amylase and bile acid.Endogenous cholecystokinin may be partially involved inthese phenomena caused by saline intake at 3 hr after feeding.