Journal article
The mechanism of enhanced defecation caused by the ghrelin receptor agonist, ulimorelin
RV Pustovit, B Callaghan, S Kosari, LR Rivera, H Thomas, JA Brock, JB Furness
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY | WILEY | Published : 2014
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12259
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Discovery of adequate pharmacological treatments for constipation has proven elusive. Increased numbers of bowel movements were reported as a side-effect of ulimorelin treatment of gastroparesis, but there has been no investigation of the site of action. METHODS: Anesthetized rats were used to investigate sites and mechanisms of action of ulimorelin. KEY RESULTS: Intravenous ulimorelin (1-5 mg/kg) caused a substantial and prolonged (~1 h) increase in colorectal propulsive activity and expulsion of colonic contents. This was prevented by cutting the nerves emerging from the lumbosacral cord, by the nicotinic receptor antagonist hexamethonium and by antagonists of the ghrelin recep..
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Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
Funding Acknowledgements
The work was supported by the Transport Accident Commission of Victoria and by a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (grant no. 1005811).