Plasma ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide concentrations increase with sham feeding. This suggests a vagal efferent pathway mediating ghrelin release. In contrast to pancreatic polypeptide which rises with actual meal ingestion, ghrelin levels did not change.

A high-fat solid meal significantly increased overall symptoms among individuals with gastroparesis, whereas a low-fat liquid meal had the least effect. With respect to nausea, low-fat meals were better tolerated than high-fat meals, and liquid meals were better tolerated than solid meals. These data provide support for recommendations that low-fat and increased liquid content meals are best tolerated in patients with symptomatic gastroparesis.

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Serum cortisol, growth hormone (GH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in 6 controls and in 9 normal subjects following oral administration of 500 mg of Levodopa (L-Dopa). Serum cortisol levels decreased similarly in both the treated and the control group over a 3 h teste period. Serum GH levels increased dramatically, whereas LH levels showed a small but significant decrease in 7 of 9 subjects. These alterations occurred during the first 2 h following L-Dopa administration. GH and LH levels did not change significantly in the controls. These results suggest that L-Dopa exerts a selective stimulatory and inhibitory influence on the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones in man.