Gastric emptying of oil and aqueous meal components in pancreatic insufficiency: effects of posture and on appetite

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of posture on gastric emptying, intragastric distribution, and satiation after a meal containing oil and aqueous phases in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Five patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) consumed 60 ml 99mTc-labeled (V)-thiocyanate olive oil and 290 ml 113mIn-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid soup while sitting and while lying in the left lateral decubitus position. Hunger and fullness before and after the meal were recorded. Results were compared with those obtained in 11 normal volunteers. In both postures emptying of oil was faster (P < 0.01) in CF patients. Emptying of the aqueous phase was faster (P < 0.01) in CF patients in the decubitus position. In normal subjects there was no overall difference in emptying of oil between the two postures, whereas emptying of the aqueous phase was delayed (P < 0.01) in the decubitus position. In CF patients emptying of oil was faster (P < 0.01) in the decubitus position, and emptying of the aqueous phase was only slightly faster (P < 0.05) in the sitting position. For both postures there was greater retention (P < 0.05) of oil in the proximal stomach in normal subjects than CF patients. Hunger decreased (P < 0.05) after the meal in the control subjects, but there was no change in CF patients. These results indicate that in CF patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency 1) gastric emptying of nonhomogenized fat is faster than normal, 2) gravity affects gastric emptying of oil, and 3) effects of a fatty meal on hunger are reduced.