Atropine Inhibits the Increase in Gastric Emptying During Hypoglycemia in Humans
- Erik Schvarcz, MD,
- Mats Palmér, MD,
- Jan Åman, MD and
- Christian Berne, MD, PHD
- Departments of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Uppsala, Sweden
- Departments of Pediatrics, University Hospital Uppsala, Sweden
- Örebro Medical Center, Örebro; and the Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Uppsala, Sweden
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Erik Schvarcz, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Örebro Medical Center, S-701 85 Orebro, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the effect of a cholinergic muscarinic blockade on the gastric emptying rate during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in healthy subjects.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In eight healthy subjects, the rate of gastric emptying of an isotope-labeled meal was assessed by a scintigraphic technique during normoglycemia and hypoglycemia with simultaneous infusion of either atropine or saline. Blood glucose concentrations were controlled by an insulin-glucose clamp.
RESULTS The median time for emptying 50% of the liquid phase from the stomach (T50) was 24.9 min (range 13.9−120.0) during normoglycemia compared with 8.1 min (range 3.6−16.5) during hypoglycemia without atropine infusion (P = 0.0005). The T50 for the solid phase was 26.8 min (range 9.7−74.0) and 43.1 min (range 29−57.8), respectively (P = 0.007). During hypoglycemia with atropine infusion, T50 was 40.7 min (range 10.0−120.0) for the liquid phase and 111.4 min (range 38.9−120.0) for the solid phase, not statistically different from normoglycemic examinations.
CONCLUSIONS Cholinergic muscarinic blockade with atropine inhibits the increase in gastric emptying during hypoglycemia. Vagal activity seems to be an important determinant of gastric emptying during hypoglycemia.
- Received February 14, 1992.
- Revision received July 13, 1995.
- Accepted July 13, 1995.
- Copyright © 1995 by the American Diabetes Association
