Acceleratory effect of GM-611 on defecation in rabbits

• Published in: Journal of Pharmacological Sciences Vol. 91; no. suppl.2; p. 261
• Main Authors: Hirokazu Sudo, Hiroyasu Muramatsu, Tatsuo Yata, Ken-ichi Ozaki, Kenshi Kamei, Zen Itoh, Satoshi Omura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Pharmacological Society 2003
• ISSN: 1347-8613

GM-611, a motilin receptor agonist, is currently under clinical trials as a gastroprokinetic agent. It has been demonstrated that GM-611 stimulates the upper gastrointestinal (GI) motility in dogs and monkeys, but the effect of GM-611 on the lower GI motility remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of GM-611 on defecation in rabbits, and compared it with that of sennoside, a widely used laxative. The effects of GM-611 and sennoside on defecation were determined by measuring the fecal weight and moisture every 1 h for 12 h. GM-611 (2. 5-10 mg/kg, n=13) significantly increased the fecal weight without increasing the fecal moisture and this effect occurred within 1 h after oral administration. Whereas sennoside (24 and 48 mg/kg, n=13-15) significantly increased the fecal weight 3 to 12 h after oral administration. However, the fecal moisture was significantly increased by more than 24 mg/kg of sennoside. In summary, GM-611 could cause an early- onset of action and normal defecation without side effects such as diarrhea compared with sennoside. Therefore, GM-611 could make it much easier to control the time of defecation and provide benefits to patients with constipation such as chronic idiopathic constipation, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, and so on.