Motilin is a polypeptide hormone that stimulates gastric motility through release in the small intestine and into the general circulation during fasting. In isolated rabbit duodenal segments, porcine motilin (10 nM-1 μM) induced phasic contractions and acetylcholine release from enteric neurons (EC50 = 2.5 nM). Formulations containing motilin are used to increase gastrointestinal motility in patients with diabetic gastroparesis, often in combination with erythromycin , an antibiotic and agonist at the motilin receptor.
