Physiological regulation of gastric emptying and glucose absorption

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that both gastric emptying and the uptake of glucose from the small intestine are influenced by a variety of factors. Physicochemical factors, such as volume, viscosity, and the relative nutrient components of the meal, are all known to influence the rate at which it is emptied from the stomach. However, there is also evidence that (some of) the intestinal hormones may feed back on the stomach, usually with the effect of slowing the rate of emptying. Similar hormonal effects also influence the rate of glucose uptake from the small intestine. However, another important influence on glucose uptake is the rate of perfusion of the small intestine which, like gastric emptying, can be altered both by hormonal effects (e.g. inhibition by somatostatin) and meal composition.