title: Gender-related differences in gastric emptying.
abstract: This study was undertaken to determine if men and women have similar rates of gastric emptying. Fifteen normal weight male subjects aged 20-53 yr (mean 30 yr) and 15 normal weight female subjects aged 20-45 yr (mean 32 yr) were studied. Each subject ingested an identical 300-g meal consisting of 150 g of beef stew and 150 g of orange juice. Technetium-99m-(99mTc) labeled liver pate was used as the radioactive marker for the solid phase; indium-111 DTPA [( 111In]DTPA) was the liquid marker. A scintillation camera and computer was used to measure the rate of emptying of the solid and liquid phases. Correction for radionuclide depth, decay, and crosstalk was performed. The half-emptying time for men was: solids 59.8 +/- 3.7 min, liquids 30.3 +/- 2.3 min, and for women was: solids 92.4 +/- 7.5 min, liquids 53.8 +/- 4.9 min. These differences were statistically significant (solids, p = 0.00097; liquids, p = 0.00038). We conclude that women empty both solids and liquids from their stomachs more slowly than men. Possible mechanisms for the difference in gastric emptying rates between men and women are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
chemical_list: D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D004369:Pentetic Acid