Sulfamethizole absorption test for the assessment of gastric emptying. Comparison with scintigraphic method.
BACKGROUND
To investigate whether the sulfamethizole absorption test can be applied for the assessment of gastric emptying, we measured comparatively plasma sulfamethizole concentration and gastric emptying as determined by scintigraphy in 15 subjects.


METHODS
After the ingestion of a solid-liquid meal that contained sulfamethizole and radioisotope (technetium-99m-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), the plasma sulfamethizole concentrations were measured every 15 to 60 min up to 180 min. The initial emptying time (duration after ingestion until 10% reduction in radioactivity of the stomach) and the exponential curve in the cumulative reduction of radioactivity were used as indicators of gastric emptying.


RESULTS
The initial emptying time was significantly correlated with the sulfamethizole concentration at 15 min after ingestion (r = -0.64, p < 0.05). A close correlation was observed between the rate of decrease in radioactivity and sulfamethizole concentration at 60 min after ingestion (r = 0.80, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The sulfamethizole absorption test can be used for the evaluation of gastric motility. Two points of measurement, 15 and 60 min after ingestion, are sufficient to demonstrate the initial and subsequent gastric emptying.
Hirakawa
K
K
Second Dept. of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Iida
M
M
Fuchigami
T
T
Murata
S
S
Matsumoto
T
T
Fujishima
M
M
D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D013419:Sulfamethizole / Q000097:blood; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; D013997:Time Factors
D013419:Sulfamethizole; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate