Age and Ageing 2004; 33: 154-159
© 2004, British Geriatrics Society
Research Paper |
Effects of ageing on gastrointestinal motor function
Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine 239, Hvidovre Hospital, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Kettegård Allé 30, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Address correspondence to: J. L. Madsen. Fax: (+45) 3622 3750. Email: jan.lysgaard.madsen{at}hh.hosp.dk
Abstract
Background: existing data on the effect of ageing on gastrointestinal motility are few. In this study, we assessed the propulsive effect of all main segments of the gastrointestinal tract in a group of healthy older people.
Methods: 16 healthy volunteers (eight women, eight men) of mean age 81 years (range 74–85 years) participated in the study. Gastric emptying and small intestinal and colonic transit rates were determined by gamma camera technique. The technique was also used to measure the postprandial frequency of antral contractions. Furthermore, we assessed the effects of gender, body mass index and smoking on the motility variables. The results were compared with data from 16 healthy individuals (eight women, eight men) of mean age 24 years (range 20–30 years).
Results: advanced age did not influence gastric emptying or small intestinal transit rate. Older individuals had a slower colonic transit than young individuals (P = 0.0008). No difference was found in postprandial frequency of antral contractions between older and young subjects. None of the motility variables was affected by gender or body mass index. Smokers had a faster colonic transit than non-smokers (P = 0.0022).
Conclusion: normal ageing seems to reduce the propulsive capacity of the colon, whereas gastric and small intestinal motility is not affected.
Keywords: ageing effects, gastric emptying, small intestinal transit, colonic transit, postprandial frequency of antral contractions, gastrointestinal transit time, gastrointestinal motor function, elderly
Received April 8, 2003; Revision received September 15, 2003. accepted in revised form September 15, 2003.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M. Nakajo, S. Jinnouchi, Y. Tashiro, H. Shirahama, E. Sato, C. Koriyama, and M. Nakajo Effect of Clinicopathologic Factors on Visibility of Colorectal Polyps with FDG PET Am. J. Roentgenol., March 1, 2009; 192(3): 754 - 760. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Raynaud-Simon, M. Kuhn, J. Moulis, J. Marc, L. Cynober, and C. Loi Tolerance and Efficacy of a New Enteral Formula Specifically Designed for Elderly Persons: An Experimental Study in the Aged Rat J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2008; 63(7): 669 - 677. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 V. Lesniewska, I. Rowland, P. D. Cani, A. M. Neyrinck, N. M. Delzenne, and P. J. Naughton Effect on Components of the Intestinal Microflora and Plasma Neuropeptide Levels of Feeding Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Inulin to Adult and Elderly Rats. Appl. Envir. Microbiol., October 1, 2006; 72(10): 6533 - 6538. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. R. Wade and P. J. Hornby Age-Related Neurodegenerative Changes and How They Affect the Gut Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ., March 23, 2005; 2005(12): pe8 - pe8. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|