title: Dexmedetomidine inhibits gastric emptying and oro-caecal transit in healthy volunteers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dexmedetomidine is a potent and selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist used for perioperative and intensive care sedation with certain beneficial qualities. However, based on preclinical observations, it might inhibit gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit, which could result in unwanted effects in intensive care patients. This study evaluated the effects of dexmedetomidine on gastric emptying and oro-caecal transit time in healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve healthy male subjects were given 1 µg kg(-1) of dexmedetomidine i.v. over 20 min followed by a continuous i.v. infusion of 0.7 µg kg(-1) h(-1) for 190 min. For comparison, subjects were also given 0.10 mg kg(-1) of morphine hydrochloride i.v. over 20 min and a placebo infusion in a randomized order. Gastric emptying was assessed with the paracetamol absorption test and oro-caecal transit time with the hydrogen breath test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The time to maximum paracetamol concentration in plasma was significantly longer, maximum paracetamol concentration was significantly lower, the area under the plasma paracetamol concentration-time curve was significantly smaller, and oro-caecal transit time was significantly longer during dexmedetomidine infusion compared with morphine or placebo infusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexmedetomidine markedly inhibits gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit in healthy volunteers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency Care and Pain Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. tiirola@utu.fi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iirola
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vilo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aantaa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wendelin-Saarenhovi
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Neuvonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scheinin
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Olkkola
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000097:blood; D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000082:Acetaminophen; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D009020:Morphine