Hypoglycemm Increases the Gastric Emptying Rate in Healthy Subjects
- Erik Schvarcz, MD,
- Mats Palmér, MD,
- Jan Åman, MD and
- Christian Berne, MD, PHD
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Örebro Medical Center Hospital
- Pediatrics Örebro Medical Center Hospital
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Uppsala, Sweden
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Erik Schvarcz, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Örebro Medical Center Hospital, S-701 85 Örebro, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the gastric emptying rate during normoglycemia with that 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, both controlled by an insulin-glucose clamp.
RESULTS The mean time taken to empty 50% of the test meal from the stomach (Tg0) for the solid phase was 43.0 ± 20.0 min during normoglycemia, compared with 16.3 ± 6.6 min during hypoglycemia, P < 0.001. The mean T50 for the liquid phase was 38.0 ± 21.2 and 15.4 ± 10.6 min, respectively, P < 0.001.
CONCLUSIONS Insulin-induced hypoglycemia increases the gastric emptying rate in healthy subjects.
- Received June 3, 1994.
- Accepted January 11, 1995.
- Copyright © 1995 by the American Diabetes Association
