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Effect of nifedipine on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility in man

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Abstract

Nifedipine, a calcium-blocking agent, inhibits smooth muscle contractions in various organs including gastric muscle in vitro. Despite this, nifedipine has been found to have no effect on gastric emptying in man. We have investigated the effect of nifedipine on gastric emptying of liquids and solids and on gastrointestinal motility in six healthy subjects. For this, isotopic techniques and manometric methods were used. We confirm that nifedipine 30 mg per os does not modify gastric emptying of liquids or solids. By contrast, antra motility was significantly inhibited (P<0.05) and duodenal motility increased. These results could be interpreted as (1) gastroduodenal motility changes are not severe enough to alter emptying or (2) isotopic techniques are not sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in gastric emptying.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Section, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California

    Ricardo Santander MD, Ismael Mena MD, Mario Gramisu MD & Jorge E. Valenzuela MD

  2. Nuclear Medicine Section, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California

    Ricardo Santander MD, Ismael Mena MD, Mario Gramisu MD & Jorge E. Valenzuela MD

Authors
  1. Ricardo Santander MD
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  2. Ismael Mena MD
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  3. Mario Gramisu MD
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  4. Jorge E. Valenzuela MD
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Santander, R., Mena, I., Gramisu, M. et al. Effect of nifedipine on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility in man. Digest Dis Sci 33, 535–539 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01798353

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01798353

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