A non‐invasive method for measurement of gastric emptying in mice: effects of altering fat content and CCK A receptor blockade

Abstract

The ability to make repetitive non-invasive measurements of gastric emptying of nutritive solids in awake, unstressed mice is highly desirable. The aim of the present study was to develop such a technique using nuclear scintigraphy and diets differing in triglyceride content. Awake mice were accustomed to light restraint and to feeding cooked, egg white (0.00 g fat g(-1)), whole egg (0.10 g fat g(-1)), or egg yolk (0.31 g fat g(-1)). Gastric emptying of each diet was measured by labelling the test meals with Technetium(99m) Mebrofenin and using a conventional gamma camera equipped with a high resolution, parallel hole collimator. Gastric emptying of cooked whole egg was also determined following administration of either vehicle or CCK A receptor antagonist, devazepide. The half-emptying time (t(1/2)) significantly increased with increasing triglyceride content from 14 +/- 5 min to 51 +/- 6 min and 82 +/- 4 min for egg white, whole egg and egg yolk, respectively. Administration of devazepide significantly decreased t(1/2) of whole egg to 28 +/- 2 min. These results demonstrate the sensitivity and predictability of this technique in mice and importantly, provide an opportunity to alter the macronutrient or caloric content of the meal to determine effects on gastric emptying.

Methods for measurement of gastric motility

“…The t 1/2 was significantly increased with increasing triglyceride content. Administration of devazepide (CCK A receptor antagonist) significantly accelerated gastric emptying of whole egg (136). The effect of botulinum toxin injection into the antral wall was shown to accelerate gastric emptying by scintigraphy (28).…”

Targeted disruption of the murine CCK1 receptor gene reduces intestinal lipid-induced feedback inhibition of gastric function

“…This method was described in detail in a previous publication (33). Briefly, during the experimental session, uncooked whole egg was radioactively labeled with 15 MBq (0.4 mCu) of 99m Tc-labeled mebrofenin (Amersham Health, Sacramento, CA) per 25 ml whole egg and cooked in a microwave oven.…”

Electroacupuncture improves rectal distension-induced delay in solid gastric emptying in dogs

“…In the past few years, the most popular tests have been the scintigraphic method and the breath test (9,10,13,36). These methods have also been used in animal studies (4,9,47). Scintigraphy is currently the gold standard for gastric emptying; however, it has limitations for use in animals, since it requires the animal to be restrained during the test, which may induce stress and affect the gastric emptying rate (31).…”

“…In addition, scintigraphy requires the use of a nuclear medicine facility with specialized and expensive equipment. The breath test for gastric emptying was used in mice using carbon isotope-enriched octanoic acid as a marker (9,47). It does not require physical restraints and may also be adapted to large animals (28,41).…”