The oxytocin/vasopressin receptor antagonist atosiban delays the gastric emptying of a semisolid meal compared to saline in human.

Ohlsson B, Björgell O, Ekberg O, Darwiche G

BMC gastroenterology16 Mar 2006Cited by 30 (Europe PMC)

PMID16542457PMCIDPMC1434749DOI10.1186/1471-230x-6-11PepBankPUB-16542457

Summary

BackgroundOxytocin is released in response to a meal. Further, mRNA for oxytocin and its receptor have been found throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The aim of this study was therefore to examine whether oxytocin, or the receptor antagonist atosiban, influence the gastric emptying.MethodsTen healthy volunteers (five men) were examined regarding gastric emptying at three different occasions: once during oxytocin stimulation using a pharmacological dose; once during blockage of the oxytocin receptors (which also blocks the vasopressin receptors) and thereby inhibiting physiological doses of oxytocin; and once during saline infusion. Gastric emptying rate (GER) was assessed and expressed as the percentage reduction in antral cross-sectional area from 15 to 90 min after ingestion of rice pudding. The assessment was performed by real-time ultrasonography. At the same time, the feeling of satiety was registered using visual satiety scores.ResultsInhibition of the binding of endogenous oxytocin by the receptor antagonist delayed the GER by 37 % compared to saline (p = 0.037). In contrast, infusion of oxytocin in a dosage of 40 mU/min did not affect the GER (p = 0.610). Satiation scores areas in healthy subjects after receiving atosiban or oxytocin did not show any significant differences.ConclusionOxytocin and/or vasopressin seem to be regulators of gastric emptying during physiological conditions, since the receptor antagonist atosiban delayed the GER. However, the actual pharmacological dose of oxytocin in this study had no effect. The effect of oxytocin and vasopressin on GI motility has to be further evaluated.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy volunteers, oxytocin infusion at 40 mU/min did not change the gastric emptying rate compared with saline.
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, oxytocin infusion did not change how fast the stomach emptied compared with saline.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeGastric emptying rate during oxytocin infusion
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Saline
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal protection · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
40 mU/min · infusionAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In contrast, infusion of oxytocin in a dosage of 40 mU/min did not affect the GER (p = 0.610).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Gastric emptying rate (GER) was assessed and expressed as the percentage reduction in antral cross-sectional area from 15 to 90 min after ingestion of rice pudding.
Summary · context
Ten healthy volunteers (five men) were examined regarding gastric emptying at three different occasions: once during oxytocin stimulation using a pharmacological dose; once during blockage of the oxytocin receptors (which also blocks the vasopressin receptors) and thereby inhibiting physiological doses of oxytocin; and once during saline infusion.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-1654245701
02HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy volunteers, satiation score areas after atosiban or oxytocin did not show any significant differences; the abstract does not state the comparison.
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, fullness scores after atosiban or oxytocin showed no significant differences; the abstract does not say what they were compared with.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeSatiety score areas after oxytocin
Study
n = 10
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · infusionAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Satiation scores areas in healthy subjects after receiving atosiban or oxytocin did not show any significant differences.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
At the same time, the feeling of satiety was registered using visual satiety scores.
Summary · context
Ten healthy volunteers (five men) were examined regarding gastric emptying at three different occasions: once during oxytocin stimulation using a pharmacological dose; once during blockage of the oxytocin receptors (which also blocks the vasopressin receptors) and thereby inhibiting physiological doses of oxytocin; and once during saline infusion.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-1654245702

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Oxytocin.

03HumanNot a test of Oxytocin aloneNon-randomized trialMechanism
In healthy volunteers, atosiban, which blocks oxytocin and vasopressin receptors, delayed gastric emptying by 37 % compared with saline.
In plain wordsIn healthy adults, a drug that blocks oxytocin and vasopressin receptors slowed stomach emptying compared with saline.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseGastric emptying rate during oxytocin receptor blockade by atosiban
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Saline
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal protection · Gastrointestinal
Measurements
Gastric emptying rate delay
37%
atosiban vs saline
Source sentences
Summary
Inhibition of the binding of endogenous oxytocin by the receptor antagonist delayed the GER by 37 % compared to saline (p = 0.037).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Ten healthy volunteers (five men) were examined regarding gastric emptying at three different occasions: once during oxytocin stimulation using a pharmacological dose; once during blockage of the oxytocin receptors (which also blocks the vasopressin receptors) and thereby inhibiting physiological doses of oxytocin; and once during saline infusion.
In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-1654245703

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 20:03 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:50 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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