Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2011; 17(1): 105-110
Published online Jan 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i1.105
Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia
Ming-Luen Hu, Christophan K Rayner, Keng-Liang Wu, Seng-Kee Chuah, Wei-Chen Tai, Yeh-Pin Chou, Yi-Chun Chiu, King-Wah Chiu, Tsung-Hui Hu
Ming-Luen Hu, Keng-Liang Wu, Seng-Kee Chuah, Wei-Chen Tai, Yeh-Pin Chou, Yi-Chun Chiu, King-Wah Chiu, Tsung-Hui Hu, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Christophan K Rayner, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Author contributions: Wu KL, Rayner CK and Hu TH designed the research; Hu ML, Wu KL, Tai WC, Chou YP and Chuah SK performed the research; Wu KL, Chiu YC and Chuah SK collected and analyzed the data; Hu ML and Chiu KW wrote the paper; Rayner CK and Wu KL revised the paper.
Supported by Grant from National Research Program from National Science Council (NMRP870071)
Correspondence to: Dr. Keng-Liang Wu, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan. kengliang_wu@yahoo.com.tw
Telephone: +886-7-7317123 Fax: +886-7-7322402
Received: July 21, 2010
Revised: August 16, 2010
Accepted: August 23, 2010
Published online: January 7, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of ginger on gastric motility and emptying, abdominal symptoms, and hormones that influence motility in dyspepsia.

METHODS: Eleven patients with functional dyspepsia were studied twice in a randomized double-blind manner. After an 8-h fast, the patients ingested three capsules that contained ginger (total 1.2 g) or placebo, followed after 1 h by 500 mL low-nutrient soup. Antral area, fundus area and diameter, and the frequency of antral contractions were measured using ultrasound at frequent intervals, and the gastric half-emptying time was calculated from the change in antral area. Gastrointestinal sensations and appetite were scored using visual analog questionnaires, and blood was taken for measurement of plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), motilin and ghrelin concentrations, at intervals throughout the study.

RESULTS: Gastric emptying was more rapid after ginger than placebo [median (range) half-emptying time 12.3 (8.5-17.0) min after ginger, 16.1 (8.3-22.6) min after placebo, P≤ 0.05]. There was a trend for more antral contractions (P = 0.06), but fundus dimensions and gastrointestinal symptoms did not differ, nor did serum concentrations of GLP-1, motilin and ghrelin.

CONCLUSION: Ginger stimulated gastric emptying and antral contractions in patients with functional dyspepsia, but had no impact on gastrointestinal symptoms or gut peptides.

Keywords: Ginger (Zinger offinale), Functional dyspepsia, Gastric emptying, Antral contraction, Abdominal ultrasound, Ghrelin, Glucagon-like peptide-1, Motilin