The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two-channel gastric electrical stimulation (GES) on delayed gastric emptying, gastric dysrhythmias, and
motion sickness-like symptoms induced by
vasopressin. Seven dogs implanted with four pairs of gastric
electrodes and a duodenal
cannula were studied in four randomized sessions (saline,
vasopressin, single-channel GES, and two-channel GES). The experiment in each session was conducted sequentially as follows: 30-min baseline, ingestion of a liquid meal, 30-min iv infusion of
vasopressin or saline, and two 30-min postprandial recordings. In the GES sessions, GES was applied via the first pair of
electrodes for single-channel GES or the first and third pairs of
electrodes for two-channel GES. Gastric emptying was collected every 15 min via the
cannula for a period of 90 min. Results were as follows. (1)
Vasopressin induced gastric dysrhythmias,
motion sickness-like symptoms, and delayed gastric emptying (P < 0.01, ANOVA). (2) GES normalized gastric dysrhythmias (P < 0.01) but showed no effects on
vasopressin-induced
emetic response. (3) Two-channel GES improved delayed gastric emptying induced by
vasopressin. In comparison with the
vasopressin session, two-channel GES, but not single-channel GES, significantly increased gastric emptying at 30 min (43.9+/-12.6 vs. 27.5+/-7.7%; P < 0.03), 60 min (75.3+/-15.1 vs. 54.0+/-17.8%; P < 0.05), and 90 min (91.6+/-9.8 vs. 80.3+/-9.0%; P < 0.05). GES with long pulses is able to normalize gastric dysrhythmias. Two-channel GES improves delayed gastric emptying induced by
vasopressin.