Circulating ghrelin levels after food intake during different phases of the migrating motor complex in man

Background The timing of the migrating motor complexes (MMC) at food intake may influence gastric emptying and release of regulatory hormones. This report studies the relationships between phases I (motor quiescence) and II (intermediate frequency contractions) of MMC and prandial gut hormone response. Materials and methods Seven fasting volunteers ingested a meal during phase I or II of MMC verified by manometry, using paracetamol as a marker for gastric emptying. Blood was sampled before, during and 210 min after food intake for analysis of ghrelin, motilin, insulin and paracetamol. Results The basal level of ghrelin during phase I was 127·5 ± 25·4 pmol L − 1 and during phase II was 132·4 ± 24·8 pmol L − 1 . After food intake during phase I, ghrelin fell to 77·2 ± 10 pmol L − 1 ; in phase II it fell to 82·7 ± 17·8 pmol L − 1 within 60 min and returned to baseline levels after 120 min. Baseline levels of motilin were 16 ± 2 pmol L − 1 and 18 ± 3 pmol L − 1 during phases I and II, respectively. After food, motilin decreased to 8·5 ± 0·7 pmol L − 1 and 8·7 ± 1·0 pmol L − 1 within 60 min and returned to baseline after 90 min. Insulin levels in phases I and II were 8·1 ± 1·2 mU L − 1 and 8·6 ± 0·7 mU L − 1 , respectively, reaching 138·9 ± 35·6 mU L − 1 and 167·4 ± 30·0 mU L − 1 at 45 min postprandially.