Brief Reports
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2005; 11(42): 6676-6680
Published online Nov 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i42.6676
Investigation of fundo-antral reflex in human beings
Satish SC Rao, Anjana Kumar, Brent Harris, Bruce Brown, Konrad S Schulze
Satish SC Rao, Anjana Kumar, Brent Harris, Bruce Brown, Konrad S Schulze, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Satish SC Rao, MD, PhD, FRCP, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, 4612 JCP, Iowa City 52242, Iowa, United States. satish-rao@uiowa.edu
Telephone: +1-319-353-6602 Fax: +1-319-353-6399
Received: March 12, 2005
Revised: April 6, 2005
Accepted: April 9, 2005
Published online: November 14, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To examine the sensory and motor response(s) of the stomach following fundic distention and to assess whether cholinergic mechanisms influence these responses.

METHODS: Fundic tone, gastric sensory responses and antral motility were evaluated in eight healthy volunteers after a probe with two sensors was placed in the antrum and a highly compliant balloon in the fundus. Isobaric balloon distentions were performed with a barostat. Study was repeated in six volunteers after intravenous atropine was given.

RESULTS: Fundic distention induced large amplitude antral contractions in all subjects. The area under the curve was higher (P<0.05) during fundic distention. First sensation was reported at 12±4 mmHg, moderate sensation at 18±4 mmHg and discomfort at 21±4 mmHg. Discomfort was associated with a decrease in antral motility. After atropine was given, the area under the curve of pressure waves and fundic tone decreased (P<0.05). Sensory thresholds were not affected.

CONCLUSIONS: Fundic balloon distention induces an antral motor response, the fundo-antral reflex, which in part may be mediated by cholinergic mechanisms.

Keywords: Gastric motility; Reflex; Fundo-antral reflex; Sensation