The migrating motor complex modulates intestinal motility response and rate of gastric emptying of caloric meals.

The present study elucidates whether the phase of the migrating motor complex (MMC) present at the moment of food intake modulates postprandial motor response and rate of gastric emptying of caloric meals. Eight healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 26 years were examined twice. During water-perfused gastroduodenal manometry, a liquid meal with paracetamol added as a marker was orally administered during phase I and late phase II. Paracetamol appeared in serum 14.1 +/- 3.8 min and 9.1 +/- 4.0 (mean +/- SD) min, respectively, after intake of the meal (P < 0.02). The area under the curve of s-paracetamol until 25 min after intake was 232 +/- 169 mumol l-1 min and 362 +/- 130 (P < 0.05), respectively. When taken during late phase II, a phase III-like activity occurred within 2.1 +/- 1.3 min in the duodenum, and was succeeded by quiescence. During phase I, the meal invariably initiated irregular contractions within 4 min. The phase of MMC during which a caloric meal is ingested modulates duodenal motor response and rate of gastric emptying during the initial postprandial period. Initial postprandial motor activity thus represents the combined effect of nutrient stimulation and the underlying enteric biorhythm as reflected by phase of MMC.