Does salmon calcitonin influence the motility of the human gastrointestinal tract? An electromanometric and endoscopic study.

The effect of salmon calcitonin--as a relatively high dose of 25 mug by single iv. injection--upon the basal and metoclopramide-stimulated motility phenomena of the stomach and proximal duodenum as well as upon the unstimulated colon and rectosigmoid was evaluated in 12 subjects without gastrointestinal disease by quantitative electromanometric measurements performed for one hour with the aid of fluid-filled micro-balloon-catheter-systems. Additionally, in 9 subjects the reaction of the cardia, stomach, pylorus and proximal duodenum upon the same dose of the hormone was observed endoscopically for 30 minutes. Under the conditions of our study there was no evidence to be obtained for any measurable or visible effect of salmon calcitonin upon the tonus and motility of the smooth muscle organs of the human gastrointestinal tract.