Erythromycin gastrokinetic activity is partially vagally mediated

Research was conducted to study the function of the vagus in gastric emptying induced by erythromycin using a model that preserves the physiology of the distal stomach and pylorus. A midline abdominal incision was carried out to insert sensors designed to determine motor activity and transpyloric flow while vagal continuity was changed by the acute cooling of the nerve trunks during measurements of transpyloric flow and pyloric resistance. Results indicated the existence of a vagal pathway that associates in erythromycin prokinetic effects.