Effect of clonidine on gastrointestinal transit time.
OBJECTIVE
Orocecal time can be measured by lactulose H2 breath test. Duodenal entry time can be evaluated by measuring D-xylose; the duodeno-cecal time can be derived by subtracting duodenal entry time from orocecal time. In this study we established the normal value of these parameters for our laboratory in males and also evaluated the effect of clonidine on these parameters.


METHODS
In 9 healthy male volunteers orocecal time was measured by the lactulose H2 breath test. Duodenal entry time was established by measuring blood D-xylose. Duodenocecal time was derived by subtracting duodenal entry time from orocecal time.


RESULTS
The mean orocecal time was 54.44 + 3.77 minutes; the mean duodenal entry time was 17.22 + 3.15 minutes and the mean duodenocecal time was 37.22 + 3.16 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral clonidine prolonged orocecal, duodenal entry and duodenocecal times in only 33% of the subjects.
Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, VA Medical Center, Temple 76504, USA.
N S
NS
Mann
J M
JM
Shinkle
D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012015:Reference Standards; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013565:Sympatholytics; D003000:Clonidine