Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2002. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 15, 2002; 8(2): 338-341
Published online Apr 15, 2002. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i2.338
Effects of progesterone on gastric emptying and intestinal transit in male rats
Chuan-Yong Liu, Lian-Bi Chen, Pei-Yi Liu, Dong-Ping Xie, Paulus S. Wang
Chuan-Yong Liu, Lian-Bi Chen, Dong-Ping Xie, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, China
Pei-Yi Liu, Paulus S. Wang, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Chinese Developing Funds (provided by Taiwan) and Scientific Initiating Grants of Shandong University
Correspondence to: Associate Prof. Dr. Chuan-Yong Liu, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China. liucy@sdu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-531-2942037 Fax: +86-531-2942156
Received: November 15, 2001
Revised: January 1, 2002
Accepted: January 4, 2002
Published online: April 15, 2002
Abstract

AIM: To study the dose-dependent of progesterone (P) effect and the interaction between the oxytocin (OT) and P on gastrointestinal motility.

METHODS: In order to monitor the gastric emptying and intestinal transit, the SD male rats were intubated via a catheter with normal saline (3 mL/kg) containing Na251CrO4 (0.5 μCi/mL) and 10% charcoal. OT was dissolved into normal saline and P was dissolved into 75% alcohol.

RESULTS: Low does of P (1 mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the gastric emptying (75% ± 3%, P < 0.05) and high dose of P (5 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibit it (42% ± 11.2%, P < 0.01). P (1 mg/kg) increased the intestinal transit (4.2 ± 0.3, P < 0.05) while the higher dose (10-20 mg/kg) had no effect. OT (0.8 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited the gastric emptying (23.5% ± 9.8%, P < 0.01). The inhibitory effects of P (20 mg/kg) (32% ± 9.7%, P < 0.05) and OT (0.8 mg/kg) on gastric emptying enhanced each other when the two chemicals were administrated simultaneously (17% ± 9.4%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Low dose of P increased GI motility while high dose of P decreased it. During the later period of pregnancy, elevated plasma level of OT may also participate in the gastrointestinal inhibition.

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