Does calcium mediate the slowing of gastric emptying in primates?

Abstract

Disodium edetate (EDTA, 1 g/l) in test meals of water slowed gastric emptying strongly in one human and in four rhesus monkeys. When the binding sites of the EDTA were loaded with calcium before it was given in the test meal, there was little effect on gastric emptying. It is suggested that EDTA takes up calcium from the “tight junctions” of the duodenal epithelium. As a result a signal is set up that slows gastric emptying. It is postulated that the anions of fatty acids produced during the digestion of triglycerides in the duodenum also slow gastric emptying by the same mechanism. We explain how fats, carbohydrates, and proteins could all slow gastric emptying by operating on the same receptor.