Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2013; 19(6): 897-902
Published online Feb 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i6.897
Effect of Gongronema latifolium on gastric emptying in healthy dogs
Sylvester O Ogbu, Kenneth K Agwu, Isaac U Asuzu
Sylvester O Ogbu, Kenneth K Agwu, Department of Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu State 400001, Nigeria
Isaac U Asuzu, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus, Enugu State 400001, Nigeria
Author contributions: Ogbu SO, Agwu KK and Asuzu IU contributed equally to this work; Ogbu SO participated in the design of the study, collected the data, performed the statistical calculations and drafted the manuscript; Agwu KK participated in the design of the study and in drafting the manuscript; Asuzu IU participated in the design of the study, clinical examination and management of the animals and in drafting the manuscript; and all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Sylvester O Ogbu, Department of Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu State 400001, Nigeria. sylvester.ogbu@unn.edu.ng
Telephone: +234-80-33760550 Fax: +234-42-771977
Received: July 20, 2012
Revised: October 31, 2012
Accepted: November 24, 2012
Published online: February 14, 2013
Abstract

AIM: To investigate sonographically the effect of Gonogronema latifolium (G. latifolium) on gastric emptying of semi-solid meals in healthy dogs.

METHODS: In a randomized, placebo-controlled experiment, twenty-five clinically healthy dogs were randomly allotted into five groups of five dogs in each group. The placebo group served as the control, and the low, moderate and high dose groups ingested the methanolic leaf extract of G. latifolium in capsules at 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, while the prokinetic group ingested 0.5 mg/kg capsules of metoclopramide. After a 12-h fast, each group ingested its treatment capsules 30 min before the administration of a test meal. Measurements of gastric emptying and blood glucose levels were obtained 30 min before and immediately after the ingestion of the test meal and thereafter every 15 min for 4 h. This was followed by further measurements every 30 min for another 2 h.

RESULTS: The gastric emptying times of the placebo, low dose, moderate dose, high dose and prokinetic dose groups were 127.0 ± 8.2 min, 135.5 ± 3.7 min, 155.5 ± 3.9 min, 198.0 ± 5.3 min and 59.0 ± 2.5 min, respectively. Gastric emptying times of the moderate and high dose groups were significantly slower than in the placebo control group (155.5 ± 3.9 min, 198.0 ± 5.3 min vs 127.0 ± 8.2 min, P = 0.000). No significant difference in gastric emptying between the low dose and placebo control groups was noted (135.5 ± 3.7 min vs 127.0 ± 8.2 min, P = 0.072). Gastric emptying of the prokinetic group was significantly faster than that of the control group (59.0 ± 2.5 min vs 127.0 ± 8.2 min, P = 0.000). The hypoglycaemic effect of G. latifolium and gastric emptying were inversely related (r = -0.95, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: G. latifolium delays gastric emptying and lowers postprandial blood glucose in healthy dogs. It reduces the postprandial blood glucose by delaying gastric emptying.

Keywords: Gonogronema latifolium; Gastric emptying; Sonography; Postprandial blood glucose; Semi-solid meals