Motilin: Spectrum and mode of gastrointestinal actions

Conclusion Motilin is found in the enterochromaffin cells of the human intestine. It can be released by duodenal acidification or fat intake. Motilin effects appear to be confined exclusively to the gastrointestinal tract. Before, however, hormonal status can be assigned to a candidate hormone, it must be shown that the peptide in question is released in amount and kind sufficient to account for the physiologic event under consideration (81). Synthetic motilin is capable of increasing lower esophageal sphincter pressure and gastric pepsin secretion while it decreases gastric mucosal protein biosynthesis and inhibits gastric emptying. These effects can be achieved by exogenous motilin infusions at doses that produce plasma motilin levels comparable to those after endogenous motilin release. So, motilin has taken first steps out of the candidate hormone reserve towards the respectability of recognition as a gastrointestinal hormone.