Changes in Plasma Motilin and Oesophageal and Gastric Emptying of a Liquid Meal in Patients with Hyperthyroidism before and after Treatment with Antithyroid Agents

The plasma motilin, thyroid hormons and oesophageal and gastric emptying of liquid meal were measured in 13 patients with hyperthyroidism before and after treatment with antithyroid agents and 14 controls. The pretreatment plasma motilin concentration elevated (P＜0.01), the 50% gastric emptying time for liquid meal shortened (P＜0.05) compared to those in the controls and returned to normal after treatment. The relationship between the plasma motilin concentration and the 50% gastric emptying time was not significant (P＞0.05), the plasma motilin concentration was positively correlated (r=0.4802, P＜0.01) to the serum T₃ concentration and the 50% gastric emptying time of the liquid meal (r=-0.4586, P＜0.01).