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To explore the effect of ghrelin on the duodenal myoelectrical activity during the feeding state and the fasting state in rats. One pair of bipolar silver electrodes were chronically implanted in the duodenal serosa of rats for electromyography. The myoelectrical activity was recorded when ghrelin was injected intravenously into rats during the feeding state or the fasting state. Some rats were pretreated with atropine, phentolamine, propranolol, L-arginine, and (D-Lys3)GHRP-6 respectively to explore the mechanism of ghrelin. Duodenal migrating myoelectrical complex (MMC) could be induced by ghrelin in the feeding state. Ghrelin could shorten the length of duodenal MMC cycle and increase the amplitude and frequency of phase III during the fasting state. The percentage of phase III in the MMC cycle did not change. These effects were inhibited by atropine and L-arginine (D-Lys3)GHRP-6, but not by propranolol and phentolamine. Ghrelin seems to be closely related to the duodenal motility. The excitatory effect of ghrelin on duodenal MMC might rely on the cholinergic pathway, and have a close relationship with NO. The receptor of ghrelin can regulate its activity.