Effect of clonidine on gastrointestinal transit time

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Orocecal time can be measured by lactulose H-2 breath test. Duodenal entry time can be evaluated by measuring D-xylose; the duodeno-cecal time can be derived by subtracting duodenal entry time from orocecal time. In this study we established; the normal value of these parameters for our laboratory in males and also evaluated the effect of clonidine on these parameters. METHODOLOGY: In 9 healthy male volunteers orocecal time was measured by the lactulose H-2 breath test. Duodenal entry time was established by measuring blood D-xylose. Duodenocecal time was derived by subtracting duodenal entry time from orocecal time. RESULTS: The mean orocecal time was 54.44 + 3.77 minutes; the mean duodenal entry time was 17.22 + 3.15 minutes and the mean duodenocecal time was 37.22 + 3.16 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Oral clonidine prolonged orocecal, duodenal entry and duodenocecal times in only 33% of the subjects.