Effects of GLP-1 on Gastric Emptying, Antropyloric Motility, and Transpyloric Flow in Response to a Nonnutrient Liquid

Glucagon-like polypeptide 1 (GLP-1) may be amajor enterogastrone, slowing gastric emptying whenreleased by intestinal nutrients. In six conscious dogs,we studied the effects of GLP-1, on antropyloric motility, gastric emptying, and transpyloricflow after instillation of 500 ml of saline into thestomach. The meal was given and recordings were started15 min after intravenous bolus and infusion of either saline or three different doses of GLP-1.Intravenous GLP-1 produced a dose-related retardation ofgastric emptying associated with a decrease in thenumber and volume of flow pulses in comparison tosaline. This change in transpyloric flow was associatedwith an inhibition of antropyloric pressure waves, astimulation of isolated pyloric pressure waves, and anincrease in basal pyloric tone induced by intravenous GLP-1 infusion. Our findings show that GLP-1has a potent dose-dependent inhibitory effect ontranspyloric flow and gastric emptying. This effect istemporally associated with inhibition of antral“pumping” and stimulation of pyloric“braking” mechanisms.