Gastrointestinal Motility Among Diabetes Patients

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms including vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation or chronic diarrhea affect a large number of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Furthermore, abnormal GI transit times restrict correct dosing of medication. Two new methods, in combination only available at Aarhus University Hospital (AUH), allow examination of human whole-gut function with a high degree of detail: PET-scans (positron emission tomography scans) of cholinergic signaling in the bowel wall The most important nerve fibers stimulating GI peristalsis use acetylcholine as neurotransmitter. The novel PET technique, \[11C\] Donepezil PET/CT (Donepezil PET/CT scan based on a carbon isotope), developed at AUH, allows in vivo quantification of cholinergic cells within the bowel wall. 3D-Transit With 3D-Transit electromagnetic capsules are followed during their passage through the GI tract. The novel method provides highly detailed information about regional and whole-gut passage times and contractility patterns. Study protocol 20 healthy subjects and 25 diabetic patients with severe GI symptoms will be included. 1. With \[11C\]donepezil PET/CT, we aim to describe the degree of cholinergic denervation of the intestine in DM patients with GI severe symptoms. 2. Using 3D-Transit in DM patients before and during intervention with acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor we aim to determine how cholinergic denervation of the intestine contributes to abnormal GI transit patterns. 3. Comparing the transit times of DM patients with either vomiting or diarrhea as main symptoms, we aim to provide pilot data on phenotypes of diabetic GI dysfunction. 4. We aim to explore various aspects of "pan-enteric" dysfunction in DM, including prolonged gastric emptying secondary to severe constipation and delayed small intestinal transit in patients with symptoms of gastroparesis with or without delayed gastric emptying Perspectives Detailed information about cholinergic denervation in DM and obje