Decelerating gastric emptying: therapeutic possibilities in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

There is clear evidence of a positive correlation between carbohydrate absorption, plasma concentration of glucose, and the rate of gastric emptying. This suggests that clinical manipulation of gastric emptying rates may have therapeutic potential in glycaemic control. Cholecystokinin (CCK-8) has been shown to delay gastric emptying in individuals with Type 2 diabetes, but its potential as a therapy is limited by the need to administer it intravenously. The preferred routes of administration would be intramuscular injections, an intranasal spray or the use of orally ingested CCK analogues. Alternatively, the oral administration of an agent that enhances endogenous release of CCK could represent an important approach to the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Agents such as POT II may have a therapeutic indication in patients with recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.