Neurotensin slows gastric emptying by a transient inhibition of gastric and a prolonged inhibition of duodenal motility.

The effect of neurotensin (10 pmol/kg/min) on gastric emptying was investigated in 5 dogs. Gastroduodenal motility was recorded with strain-gauge transducers and induction coils, gastric emptying was measured radiographically. In the first 15 min, neurotensin abolished gastric emptying, reduced antral and duodenal contractions and diminished the pyloric opening and the duodenal lumen. Subsequently, antral and pyloric activity returned to control values. The emptying rate remained diminished due to segmenting contractions and a small lumen of the duodenum. Results suggest that neurotensin influences gastric emptying mainly by its long-lasting action on the duodenum.