The effects of ghrelin on electrogastrography in anorexia nervosa

为了开发一种可能的治疗神经性厌食症的新药物，我们旨在利用胃电(EGG)作为一种非侵入性技术来研究Ghrelin对胃功能的影响。由于日本传统药物Rikunshito(TJ-43)能刺激Ghrelin的分泌，我们研究了TJ-43对神经性厌食症患者胃电活动的影响。神经性厌食症患者的EGG正常功率百分率明显低于正常对照组，而心律失常百分率显著高于正常对照组。神经性厌食症患者口服50ml水中溶解的5g TJ-43，与50ml水负荷相比，可显著降低胃电节律失常的发生率。TJ-43可改善神经性厌食症患者的胃电节律，提示Ghrelin对食欲的影响可能与改善胃电活动有关。

To develop a possibly new medical treatment for anorexia nervosa, we aimed to investigate the effects of ghrelin on gastric function by using electrogastrography (EGG) as a non-invasive technique. Because Rikkunshito (TJ-43), a traditional Japanese medicine, stimulates ghrelin secretion, we studied the effects of TJ-43 on the gastric electrical activity of patients with anorexia nervosa. The % normal power and % arrhythmia of EGG in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly lower and higher than those of healthy controls, respectively. Oral administration with 5g TJ-43 resolved in 50ml water significantly decreased % arrhythmia of EGG in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to the 50ml water load. TJ-43 may improve gastric myoelectrical rhythms in patients with anorexia nervosa, suggesting that the effect of ghrelin on appetite would be related to amelioration of gastric myoelectric activity.