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Gastric emptying, glucose tolerance and associated hormonal changes in heroin addiction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

A. Hamid Ghodse*
Affiliation:
From St George's Hospital, London, and Hackney Hospital, London
J. L. Reed
Affiliation:
From St George's Hospital, London, and Hackney Hospital, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr A. Hamid Ghodse, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 OQT.

Synopsis

The gastric emptying rate of 8 heroin-dependent males was measured by means of a radioactive isotope method. A simultaneous oral glucose tolerance test was carried out. The glucose response showed a low, flat curve with a delayed peak, and increased secretion of insulin and growth hormone occurred. As the gastric emptying rate proved to be normal the observed metabolic abnormalities are not due to the effect of heroin on the gastro-intestinal tract, but must be attributed to some other effect of chronic heroin administration.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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