Comparison of gastric peristalsis inhibition by scopolamine butylbromide and glucagon: evaluation by electrogastrography and analysis of heart rate variability.
BACKGROUND
Activation of glucagon receptors of the smooth muscle membrane suppresses gastric peristalsis. We evaluated autonomic nervous activity by two methods, electrogastrography (EGG) and analysis of heart rate variability, to compare the inhibiting effects of glucagon and scopolamine butylbromide on gastric peristalsis.


METHODS
Heart rate variability, EGG, and blood catecholamine levels were measured before and after administration of glucagon (G group), scopolamine butylbromide (SB group), or physiological saline (C group). Autonomic nervous function was evaluated using spectral analysis of heart rate variability, and low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) power; the LF/HF ratios were also determined.


RESULTS
After administration of scopolamine butylbromide, HF power, an index of parasympathetic nervous activity, decreased; and the LF/HF ratio, an index of sympathetic nervous activity, increased. In contrast, no significant change was observed in autonomic nervous activity after administration of glucagon. The peak power amplitudes of the EGG decreased significantly in the G and SB groups after intramuscular injection, but the difference between the groups was not significant. Furthermore, the dominant frequency increased significantly in the G and SB groups after injection. Serum catecholamine levels showed no significant changes after administration of scopolamine butylbromide or glucagon.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of gastric peristalsis by glucagon via glucagon receptors on smooth muscles did not influence autonomic nervous activity, unlike the results obtained after administration of scopolamine butylbromide. Therefore, glucagon may be safe for use with elderly patients and those with cardiopulmonary complications.
Katoh
Kansei
K
Department of Digestive and Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
Nomura
Masahiro
M
Iga
Akiko
A
Hiasa
Aya
A
Uehara
Kohzou
K
Harada
Kenji
K
Nakaya
Yutaka
Y
Ito
Susumu
S
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000187:drug effects; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*
D002395:Catecholamines; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide; D005934:Glucagon