Endogenous amylin and glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations are not associated with gastric emptying in critical illness.

Background: In health, the hormones amylin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) slow gastric emptying (GE) and modulate glycaemia. The aims of this study were to determine amylin and GLP-1 concentrations in the critically ill and their relationship with GE, glucose absorption and glycaemia.

Methods: In fasted critically ill and healthy subjects (n = 26 and 23 respectively), liquid nutrient, containing 100 mg (13) C-sodium octanoate and 3 g 3-O-methlyglucose (3-OMG), was administered via a nasogastric tube.

The effect of exogenous glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide in combination with glucagon-like peptide-1 on glycemia in the critically ill.

Objective: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) have additive insulinotropic effects when coadministered in health. We aimed to determine whether GIP confers additional glucose lowering to that of GLP-1 in the critically ill.

Research Design And Methods: Twenty mechanically ventilated critically ill patients without known diabetes were studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover fashion on 2 consecutive days.

Mesenteric blood flow, glucose absorption and blood pressure responses to small intestinal glucose in critically ill patients older than 65 years.

Purpose: To compare nutrient-stimulated changes in superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow, glucose absorption and glycaemia in individuals older than 65 years with, and without, critical illness.

Methods: Following a 1-h 'observation' period (t (0)-t (60)), 0.9 % saline and glucose (1 kcal/ml) were infused directly into the small intestine at 2 ml/min between t (60)-t (120), and t (120)-t (180), respectively.

Randomized double-blind crossover study to determine the effects of erythromycin on small intestinal nutrient absorption and transit in the critically ill.

Background: The gastrokinetic drug erythromycin is commonly administered to critically ill patients during intragastric feeding to augment small intestinal nutrient delivery. However, erythromycin has been reported to increase the prevalence of diarrhea, which may reflect reduced absorption and/or accelerated small intestinal transit.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects of intravenous erythromycin on small intestinal nutrient absorption and transit in the critically ill.

Glucose absorption and small intestinal transit in critical illness.

Objectives: Although enteral nutrition is standard care for critically ill patients, nutrient absorption has not been quantified in this group and may be impaired due to intestinal dysmotility. The objectives of this study were to measure small intestinal glucose absorption and duodenocecal transit and determine their relationship with glycemia in the critically ill.

Design: Prospective observational study of healthy and critically ill subjects.