Catecholamine infusion and gastrointestinal propulsion in the rat.

The influence of continuous i. v. infusions of adrenaline, noradrenaline, noradrenaline and saline on gastric evacuation and small bowel propulsion was recorded. The infusions were given to fully conscious rats. Two differently labelled radioactive liquid test meals were administered directly into the stomach and the duodenum, respectively, via permanent tubes during the infusions. Both gastric evacuation and small bowel propulsion were significantly inhibited under the influence of the infused catecholamines.