Interdigestive plasma motilin concentrations in aged adults.

The interdigestive plasma motilin concentrations were evaluated in 13 over-65 healthy adults with no evidence of significant disease and in 19 younger individuals. Plasma motilin levels were determined every 15 min during a 3-hr fasting period, using a radioimmunological method. The individual median values of plasma motilin concentrations during the entire study period were significantly higher in aged than younger adults. The individual median coefficients of variation of motilin concentrations and the percentage increases of plasma motilin above baseline at each peak were significantly lower in the aged than in the young group. The results of this study indicate that during the interdigestive period aged individuals have markedly elevated circulating motilin levels, with less pronounced fluctuations than younger persons. This particular hormone pattern could be involved in motor disturbances of the stomach in elderly adults.