Erythromycin shortens orocaecal transit time in diabetic male subjects: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
The effects of erythromycin on small bowel motility are controversial. Orocaecal transit time (OCTT) is considered to be a valid measure of small bowel motility.


METHODS
We studied the effect of erythromycin on OCTT in diabetic male subjects in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover fashion. After an overnight fast, subjects received erythromycin 500 mg, 250 mg or placebo, on 3 different days. A standard solid meal containing 20 g lactulose was administered 30 min after the erythromycin ingestion. Exhaled breath was collected and hydrogen concentration was assessed over 5 h. Breath hydrogen concentrations for each session were analysed over time by a generalized logistic function generating a sigmoidal curve. Front transit time was recorded as the time point when a sustained rise in breath hydrogen concentration of at least 5 p.p.m. was first observed.


RESULTS
The mean +/- S.E.M. time taken for the front of the meal to reach the caecum was 92.5 +/- 9.5, 86.1 +/- 16.5 and 62.3 +/- 12.1 min for placebo, erythromycin 250 mg and erythromycin 500 mg, respectively. The OCTT was significantly decreased with erythromycin 500 mg compared to placebo (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Oral administration of 500 mg erythromycin has prokinetic effect on orocaecal transit in male patients with diabetes mellitus.
Minocha
A
A
Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, USA.
Katragadda
R
R
Rahal
P S
PS
Ries
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin; D006859:Hydrogen