Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Motilin: Spectrum and mode of gastrointestinal actions

  • Progress Report
  • Published:
The American Journal of Digestive Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Conclusion

Motilin is found in the enterochromaffin cells of the human intestine. It can be released by duodenal acidification or fat intake. Motilin effects appear to be confined exclusively to the gastrointestinal tract. Before, however, hormonal status can be assigned to a candidate hormone, “it must be shown that the peptide in question is released in amount and kind sufficient to account for the physiologic event under consideration” (81). Synthetic motilin is capable of increasing lower esophageal sphincter pressure and gastric pepsin secretion while it decreases gastric mucosal protein biosynthesis and inhibits gastric emptying. These effects can be achieved by exogenous motilin infusions at doses that produce plasma motilin levels comparable to those after endogenous motilin release. So, motilin has taken first steps out of the candidate hormone reserve towards the respectability of recognition as a gastrointestinal hormone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Grossman MI and others: Candidate hormones of the gut. Gastroenterology 67:730–755, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Brown JC, Johnson LP, Magee DF: Effect of duodenal alkalinization on gastric motility. Gastroenterology 50:333–339, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  3. Brown JC: Presence of a gastric motor-stimulating property in duodenal extracts. Gastroenterology 52:225–229, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brown JC, Parkes CO: The separation of fundic pouch motor activity stimulatory and inhibitory fractions from pancreozymin. Gastroenterology 53:731–736, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  5. Brown JC, Mutt V, Dryburgh JR: The further purification of motilin, a gastric motor activity stimulating polypeptide from the mucosa of the small intestine of hogs. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 49:399–405, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brown JC, Cook MA, Dryburgh JR: Motilin, a gastric motor activity-stimulating polypeptide: final purification, amino acid composition and C-terminal residues. Gastroenterology 62:401–404, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brown JC, Cook MA, Dryburgh JR: Motilin, a gastric motor activity stimulating polypeptide: the complete amino acid sequence. Can J Biochem 51:533–537, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  8. Schubert H, Brown JC: Correction to the amino acid sequence of porcine motilin. Can J Biochem 52:7–8, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wünsch E, Brown JC, Deimer, K-H, Drees F, Jaeger E, Musiol J, Scharf R, Stocker H, Thamm P, Wendlberger, G: Zur Synthese von Norleucin-13-Motilin. Z Naturforsch 28c:235–240 1973

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wünsch E, Wendlberger G, Deimer K-H: Darstellung der Sequenzen 9–22 von [13-Norleucin] motilin und [13-Leucin] motilin. Hoppe-Seyler's Z Physiol Chem 357:447–458, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  11. Wünsch E, Wendlberger G, Stocker H: Darstellung der Gesamtsequenzen von [13-Norleucin] motilin und [13-Leucin] motilin. Hoppe-Seyler's Z Physiol Chem 357:459–465, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  12. Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Knof S, Scharf R, Thamm P: Reindarstellung und Charakterisierung von [13-Norleucin] motilin und [13-Leucin] motilin. Hoppe-Seyler's Z Physiol Chem 357:467–476, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dryburgh JR, Brown JC: Radioimmunoassay for motilin. Gastroenterology 68:1169–1176, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  14. Strunz U, Domschke W, Domschke, S, Mitznegg P, Wünsch E, Jaeger E Demling L: Gastroduodenal motor response to natural motilin and synthetic position 13-substituted motilin analogues: a comparative in vitro study. Scand J Gastroenterol 11:199–203, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  15. Yajima H, Kai Y, Kawatani H: Synthesis of the docosapeptide corresponding to the entire amino-acid sequence of procine motilin. JCS Chem Comm 159–160, 1975

  16. Pearse AGE, Polak JM, Bloom SR, Adams C, Dryburgh JR, Brown JC: Enterochromaffin cells of the mammalian small intestine as the source of motilin. Virchows Arch B Cell Path 16:111–120, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  17. Polak JM, Pearse AGE, Heath CM: Complete identification of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract using semithinthin sections to identify motilin cells in human and animal intestine. Gut 16:225–229, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  18. Pearse AGE: 5-Hydroxytryptophan uptake by dog thyroid C cells and its possible significance in polypeptide hormone production. Nature 211:598–600, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pearse AGE: Common cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of cells producing polypeptide hormones (The APUD series) and their relevance to thyroid and ultimobranchial C cells and calcitonin. Proc roy Soc B 170:71–80, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  20. Pearse AGE, Polak JM: Neural crest origin of the endocrine polypeptide (APUD) cells of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Gut 12:783–788, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  21. Pearse AGE, Polak JM: Immunocytochemical localization of substance P in mammalian intestine. Histochemistry 41:373–375, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  22. Euler US von, Gaddum JH: An unidentified depressor substance in certain tissue extracts. J Physiol 192:74–87, 1931

    Google Scholar 

  23. Chang MM, Leeman SE, Niall HD: Amino-acid sequence of substance P. Nature 232:86–87, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  24. Lembeck F: Zur Frage der zentralen Übertragung afferenter Impulse. III. Mitteilung. Das Vorkommen und die Bedeutung der Substanz P in den dorsalen Wurzeln des Rückenmarks. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch exp Path Pharmak 219:197–213, 1953

    Google Scholar 

  25. Otsuka M, Konishi S, Takahashi T: The presence of a motoneuron-depolarizing peptide. Proc Jap Acad 48:342–346, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  26. Powell D, Leeman SE, Tregear GW, Niall HD, Potts JT Jr: Radioimmunoassay for substance P. Nature 241:252–254, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  27. Polak JM, Heitz P, Pearse AGE: Differential localisation of substance P and motilin. Scand J Gastroenterol 11 Suppl. 39:39–42, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  28. Forssmann WG, Yanaihara N, Helmstaedter V, Grube D: Differential demonstration of the motilin-cell and the enterochromaffin-cell. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:43–45, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  29. Bennet A: Effect of gastrin on isolated smooth muscle preparations. Nature 208:170–173, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  30. Vizi SE, Bertaccini, G, Impicciatore M, Knoll J: Evidence that acetylcholine released by gastrin and related polypeptides contributes to their effect on gastrointestinal motility. Gastroenterology 64:268–277, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  31. Bennet A, Misiewicz JJ, Waller SL: Analysis of the motor effects of gastrin and pentagastrin on the human alimentary tract in vitro. Gut 8:470–474, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  32. Domschke W, Strunz U, Mitznegg P, Ruppin H, Domschke S, Schubert E, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: 13-Norleucin-Motilin-Analyse der Wirkungen auf den Gastrointestinaltrakt. Naturwissenschaften 61:370, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  33. Strunz U, Domschke W, Mitznegg P, Domschke S, Schubert E, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: Analysis of the motor effects of 13-norleucine motilin on the rabbit, guinea pig, rat, and human alimentary tract in vitro. Gastroenterology 68:1485–1491, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  34. Rüegg JC: Smooth muscle tone. Physiol Rev 51:201–248, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  35. Sparrow MP, Maxwell LL, Rüegg JC, Bohr DF: Preparation and properties of a calcium ion-sensitive actomyosin from arteries. Am J Physiol 219:1366–1372, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  36. Andersson R, Nilsson K: Cyclic AMP and calcium in relaxation in intestinal smooth muscle. Nature 238:119–120, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  37. Andersson RGG, Djärv L, Nilsson K, Wikberg J: The role of calcium and cyclic nucleotides in the regulation of tension in smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Stimulus-Secretion Coupling in the Gastrointestinal Tract. RM Case, H Goebell (eds.), MTP, Lancaster, 1976, pp. 1–13

    Google Scholar 

  38. Schubert E, Mitznegg P, Strunz U, Domschke W, Domschke S, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L, Heim F: Influence of the hormone analogue 13-nle-motilin and of 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine on tone and cyclic 3′, 5′-AMP content of antral and duodenal muscles in the rabbit. Life Sciences 16:263–272, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  39. Bloom SR, Mitznegg, P, Bryant MG: Measurement of human plasma motilin. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:47–52, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  40. Bryant MG, Bloom SR: Characterisation of the new gastrointestinal hormones. Gut 16:840, 1975 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Bloom SR, Bryant MG, Cochrane JPS: Normal distribution and postprandial release of gut hormones. Clin Sci Mole Med 49: 3P, 1975 (Abstract)

  42. Mitznegg P, Bloom SR, Domschke W, Domschke S, Wünsch E, Demling L: Release of motilin after duodenal acidification in man. Lancet 1:888–889, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  43. Mitznegg, P, Bloom SR, Domschke W, Haecki WD, Domschke S, Belohlavek D, Wünsch, E, Demling L: Effect of secretin on plasma motilin in man. Gut, in press

  44. Mitznegg P, Bloom SR, Christofides N, Besterman H, Domschke W, Domschke S, Wünsch E, Demling L: Release of motilin in man. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:53–56, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  45. Mitznegg P, Bloom SR, Domschke W, Domschke S, Wünsch E, Demling L: Disappearance half time of exogenous and endogenous motilin in man. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmak 293:R63, 1976 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Mitznegg P, Bloom SR, Domschke W, Domschke S, Wünsch E, Demling L:, Pharmacokinetics of motilin in man. Gastroenterology, in press

  47. Konturek SJ, Dembiński A, Król R, Wünsch E: Effects of motilin on gastric and pancreatic secretion in dogs. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl 39:57–61, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  48. Koch H, Domschke S, Belohlavek D, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: Gastric mucosal blood flow and pepsin secretion in dogs-stimulation by 13-nle-motilin. Scand J Gastroenterol 11:93–96, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  49. Domschke S, Domschke W, Schmack B, Tympner F, Junge O, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: Effects of 13-nle-motilin on salivary, gastric, and pancreatic secretions in man. Am J Dig Dis 21:789–792, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  50. Mulcahy H, Fitzgerald O, McGeeney KF: Secretin and pancreozymin effect on salivary amylase concentration in man. Gut 13:850, 1972 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Descos L, Lambert R, Minaire Y: Comparison of human salivary secretion in health and chronic pancreatitis. Digestion 9:76–77, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  52. Jennewein HM, Hummelt H, Siewert R, Waldeck F: The motor-stimulating effect of natural motilin on the lower esophageal sphincter, fundus, antrum and duodenum in dogs. Digestion 13:246–250, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  53. Gutierrez JG, Thanik KD, Chey WY, Yajima H: The effect of motilin on the lower esophageal sphincter of the opossum. Gastroenterology 70:958, 1976 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Rösch W, Lux G, Domschke S, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: Effect of 13-nle-motilin on lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) in man. Gastroenterology 70:931, 1976 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Lux G, Rösch W, Domschke S, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: Intravenous 13-nle-motilin increases the human lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:75–79, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  56. Domschke W, Lux G, Mitznegg P, Rösch W, Domschke S, Bloom SR, Wünsch E, Demling L: Endogenous motilin and lower esophageal sphincter pressure in man: clue to an association. Acta Hepato-Gastroenterol 23:274–275, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  57. Domschke W, Lux G, Mitznegg P, Rösch W, Domschke S, Bloom SR, Wünsch E, Demling L: Relationship of plasma motilin response to lower esophageal sphincter pressure in man. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:81–84, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  58. Hellemans J, Vantrappen G, Bloom SR: Endogenous motilin and the LES pressure. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39: 67–73, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  59. Valenzuela JE: Effect of intestinal peptides on intragastric pressure in dogs. Gastroenterology 70:945, 1976 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  60. Cook MA, Kowalewski K, Daniel EE: Electrical and mechanical activity recorded from the isolated, perfused canine stomach: the effects of some G.I. polypeptides. Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Gastrointestinal Motility. Vancouver, Mitchell Press, 1976, pp. 233–242

    Google Scholar 

  61. Ruppin H, Domschke S, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: Effects of 13-nle-motilin in man-inhibition of gastric evacuation and stimulation of pepsin secretion. Scand J Gastroenterol 10:199–202, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  62. Green WER, Ruppin H, Wingate DL, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Demling L, Ritchie HD: Effects of 13-nle-motilin on the electrical and mechanical activity of the isolated perfused canine stomach and duodenum. Gut 17:362–370, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  63. Hunt JN, Knox MT: The slowing of gastric emptying by four strong acids and three weak acids. J Physiol 222:187–208, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  64. Wormsley KG: Response to duodenal acidification in man. IV. Effect on gastric emptying. Scand J Gastroenterol 7:631–637, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  65. Wingate DL, Ruppin H, Thompson HH, Green WER, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Demling L, Ritchie HD: 13-Norleucine motilin versus pentagastrin: contrasting and competitive effects on gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity in the conscious dog. Acta Hepato-Gastroenterol 22:409–410, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  66. Wingate DL, Ruppin H, Thompson HH, Green, WER, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Demling L, Ritchie HD: The nature and significance of the gastrointestinal myoelectric response to 13-norleucine motilin infusion during interdigestive and digestive states in the conscious dog. To be published

  67. Itoh Z, Aizawa I, Takeuchi S, Couch EF: Hunger contractions and motilin. Fifth International Symposium on Gastrointestinal Motility. Leuven, Belgium, 1975

  68. Itoh Z, Honda R, Hiwatashi K, Takeuchi S, Aizawa I, Takayanagi R, Couch EF: Motilin-induced mechanical activity in the canine alimentary tract. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:93–110, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  69. Code CF, Marlett JA: The interdigestive myoelectric complex of the stomach and small bowel of dogs. J Physiol 246:289–309, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  70. Szurszewski JH: A migrating electrical complex of the canine small intestine. Am J Physiol 217:1757–1763 1969

    Google Scholar 

  71. Carlson GM, Bedi BS, Code CF: Mechanism of propagation of intestinal interdigestive complex. Am J Physiol 222:1027–1030, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  72. Wingate DL, Ruppin H, Green WER, Thompson HH, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Demling L, Ritchie HD: Motilin-induced electrical activity in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:111–118, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  73. Wingate D: The eupeptide system: a general theory of gastrointestinal hormones. Lancet 1:529–532, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  74. Foulk WT, Code CF, Morlock CG, Bargen JA: A study of the motility patterns and the basic rhythm in the duodenum and upper part of the jejunum of human beings. Gastroenterology 26:601–611, 1954

    Google Scholar 

  75. Ruppin H, Sturm G, Westhoff D, Domschke S, Domschke W, Wünsch E, Demling L: Effect of 13-nle-motilin on small intestinal transit time in healthy subjects. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:85–88, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  76. Johnson LR, Aures D, Yuen L: Pentagastrin-induced stimulation of protein synthesis in the gastrointestinal tract. Am J Physiol 217:251–254, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  77. Willems G, Vansteenkiste Y, Limbosch JM: Stimulating effect of gastrin on cell proliferation kinetics in canine fundic mucosa. Gastroenterology 62:583–589, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  78. Mitznegg P, Domschke W, Domschke S, Belohlavek D, Sprügel W, Strunz U, Wünsch E, Jaeger E, Demling L: Effects of in vivo administration of pentagastrin, secretin, and 13-nle-motilin on the in vitro incorporation of14C-leucine into protein of human gastric mucosa. Scand J Gastroenterol 11:657–660, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  79. Turner DS, Etheridge L, Marks V, Brown JC, Mutt V: Effectiveness of the intestinal polypeptides, IRP, GIP, VIP and motilin on insulin release in the rat. Diabetologia 10:459–463, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  80. Ruppin, H, Kirndörfer D, Domschke S, Domschke W, Schwemmle K, Wünsch E, Demling L: Effect of 13-nle-motilin in postoperative ileus patients: a double-blind trial. Scand J Gastroenterol 11, Suppl. 39:89–92, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  81. Grossman MI: Trends in gut hormone research. Gastrointestinal Hormones. JC Thompson (ed.) Austin, University of Texas Press, 1975, pp. 3–10

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Krankenhausstr. 12, D-852, Erlangen, West Germany

    Wolfram Domschke MD

Authors
  1. Wolfram Domschke MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Domschke, W. Motilin: Spectrum and mode of gastrointestinal actions. Digest Dis Sci 22, 454–461 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01071895

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01071895

Keywords

Search

Navigation