ObjectiveTo detect the expression of motilin in gastric cancer tissues and to explore the relationship between motilin protein expression and clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric cancer. MethodsThe immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of motilin protein in gastric cancer, paracancerous tissues, and normal gastric mucosa tissues. The relationship between motilin protein expression and clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric cancer was analyzed. ResultsThe expression of motilin protein in gastric cancer tissues (1 206.43±631.67) was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa tissues and paracancerous tissues, respectively (Plt;0.01). The difference of motilin protein expression between normal gastric mucosa tissues and paracancerous tissues was not significant (Pgt;0.05). The expression of motilin protein in gastric cancer was correlated with the site of tumor, differentiation degree, and lymph node metastasis (Plt;0.05). ConclusionMotilin may participate in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer, and correlated with the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.