Effects of pancreatic polypeptide on motilin and circulating metabolites in man

Abstract Pancreatic polypeptide was infused intravenously in healthy fasting subjects at 1 pmol kg^‐1 (n= 7) and 4 pmol kg^‐1 min^‐1 (N= 10) producing plasma PP concentrations of 223 ± 37 pmol/1 (mean ± SEM) and 891 ± 64 pmol/1 respectively. These levels are similar to and four‐fold higher than those seen after a normal mixed breakfast in healthy young adults. In a separate study five healthy subjects ingested a small breakfast during infusion of PP on different days at 1 pmol kg^‐1 min^‐1 and 2 pmol kg^‐1 min^‐1 respectively. PP at 1 pmol kg^‐1 min^‐1 caused a marked reduction in fasting plasma motilin concentrations to 20% of the basal level (P < 0–001). There were, however, no significant changes in plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon, gastrin, secretin, enteroglucagon, gastric inhibitory peptide or neurotensin. Despite previous reports possibly implicating PP in metabolism, there were no significant effects on blood levels of glucose, alanine lactate, 3‐hydroxybutyrate, glycerol or non‐esterified fatty acids, either in the fasting state or after the ingestion of food. Although it seems unlikely that PP is a major hormonal regulator of intermediary metabolism in man, its ability to suppress motilin at physiological concentrations suggests the possibility of an indirect influence on digestive motor function.