To study the effect of a cholinergic muscarinic blockade on the gastric emptying rate during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in healthy subjects. In eight healthy subjects, the rate of gastric emptying of an isotope-labeled meal was assessed by a scintigraphic technique during normoglycemia and hypoglycemia with simultaneous infusion of either atropine or saline. Blood glucose concentrations were controlled by an insulin-glucose clamp.
Vagal activity seems to be an important determinant of gastric emptying during hypoglycemia.