[Specific features of the motor function of the digestive organs in persons with different degree of resistance to motion sickness].

Abstract

The effect of three exposures to Coriolis acceleration on the frequency and amplitude of fasting stomach contractions was investigated in 6 resistant and 16 susceptible to motion sickness test subjects. After tests all of them underwent gastroduodenoscopy and 4 subjects from each group were subjected to echography to measure gall bladder contractility in response to glucose-milk loads. After tests the motor activity of the stomach increased slightly in resistant subjects due to an increase of the amplitude and a slight decrease of biopotential frequency. During gastroscopy antral and pyloric sphincters were closed. In the stomach there was an insignificant amount of contents without gall. In the susceptible group, the motor activity was, on the contrary, inhibited due to a significant decline of the wave amplitude and frequency (by 40% and 11%, respectively). In the stomach, one or both sphincters were widely open; it also contained a large amount of gastric juice and gall. In 36% of susceptible and 17% resistant subjects, diaphragmatic hernia (at the esophageal opening) was found. Ultrasonic examination of the gall bladder showed that susceptible subjects developed its faster and stronger contraction when compared to resistant subject in response to glucose-milk loading. This pointed to a more prolonged duration of the gall excretion phase. Reactive changes of the gastroduodenal zone in response to motion tests facilitated duodenal-gastric reflux and major gastrointestinal symptoms of motion sickness.