Action of the cholecystokinin antagonist L364,718 on gastric emptying in the rat.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a potent inhibitor of gastric emptying. We have examined the effects of a novel potent peripheral CCK receptor antagonist (L364,718) on the action of endogenous and exogenous CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) on gastric emptying in the rat. In conscious gastric fistula rats, the recovery of liquid test meals of 3.0 ml (containing phenol red as a dilution marker) was determined over periods up to 8 min. Compared with saline, gastric emptying of solutions of peptone (4.5%), 50 mM HCl, and hyperosmolal saline was significantly delayed. The emptying of saline was also delayed by intravenous infusion of CCK-8 (400 pmol.kg-1.h-1). The CCK antagonist L364,718 reversed the effect of peptone in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited the response to exogenous CCK, but the emptying of physiological saline, 50 mM HCl, or hyperosmolal saline remained unchanged. A protease inhibitor (FOY-305) that is thought to release endogenous CCK by inhibiting negative feedback control by luminal proteases also delayed emptying, and this response was inhibited by L364,718. We conclude that CCK has a physiological role in the mediation of the effect of proteins on gastric emptying in the rat.