Effect of enprostil on gastric emptying, intestinal transit time and post-prandial release of gastro-intestinal peptides

The effect of an oral dose of 70 micrograms enprostil (a prostaglandin E2 analogue) on the post-prandial hormone response to a test breakfast was examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in 10 healthy volunteers. Enprostil markedly reduced the post-prandial rises in insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) but plasma glucose remained unchanged. To study the effects on gut motility 8 healthy volunteers ingested a liquid meal containing 75 g glucose, 20 g lactulose and 99mTc colloid after taking placebo or 70 micrograms enprostil. Gastric emptying, measured using a gamma camera, was unchanged but mouth-to-caecum transit time was significantly longer on enprostil; time to half maximal breath hydrogen: placebo 119 min, enprostil 200 min (p less than 0.05). This delay was associated with a reduced and delayed post-prandial rise in GIP and insulin and with other changes in the gut hormone profile.