Disturbed motilin and cholecystokinin release in the irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with motor abnormalities in the small intestine and colon. Neuropeptides may have an important role in initiating and regulating the intestinal motility. Motilin has been proposed to initiate the peristaltic reflex in the small intestine and cholecystokinin the gastrocolic reflex.

METHODS

In 18 patients with IBS and 11 healthy control subjects plasma motilin and cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations were measured after intraluminal stimulation of water and a fat-rich meal.

RESULTS

The IBS patients had reduced motilin secretion after both water intake and the fat meal. In contrast, the fat meal elicited an exaggerated and prolonged CCK release in the IBS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Disturbed motilin and CCK release may partly be responsible for the intestinal dysmotility in the IBS patients.