Influence of buspirone on gastric sensorimotor function in man.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have suggested involvement of 5HT(1) receptors in the control of gastric tone.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of buspirone, a 5HT(1A) agonist, on gastric sensorimotor function in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteers (six males and four females, ages 20-29 years) participated in a barostat study evaluating the influence of single oral doses of buspirone (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg) on tone and sensitivity of the proximal stomach. In addition, the effect of placebo or the three lowest doses of buspirone on gastric emptying was assessed using a solid and liquid gastric emptying breath test.


RESULTS
Compared to preadministration volumes, buspirone increased proximal stomach volumes in a dose-dependent manner, with significant fundic relaxation after 30 and 40 mg doses (intra-balloon volume increases of respectively 258 +/- 80 mL and 273 +/- 49 mL, P < or = 0.05). Pressure thresholds during gastric distention were not altered, but corresponding intraballoon volumes were significantly increased after 30 and 40 mg doses (respective discomfort volumes 596 +/- 73 vs. 791 +/- 87 mL and 630 +/- 73 vs.741 +/- 60 mL, both P < 0.05). Buspirone significantly slowed solid and liquid gastric emptying at the 20-mg dose.


CONCLUSIONS
Buspirone dose-dependently relaxes the proximal stomach in the fasting state and decreases the gastric emptying rate in healthy volunteers.
Van Oudenhove
L
L
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Kindt
S
S
Vos
R
R
Coulie
B
B
Tack
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002065:Buspirone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D002065:Buspirone