We investigated the effects of
itopride hydrochloride (
itopride, N-[4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]benzyl]-3,4-dimethoxybenzamide hydrochloride), a gastroprokinetic agent, on the colonic motor activity in vitro and in vivo, in comparison with
benzamides,
cisapride hydrate (
cisapride), and
mosapride citrate (
mosapride).
Itopride stimulated both peristaltic and segmental motility induced by applying intraluminal pressure to the isolated guinea pig colon. Although
cisapride and
mosapride enhanced the segmental motility, they markedly reduced the peristaltic motility. In conscious dogs with implanted strain gauge force transducers,
itopride stimulated contractile activity in the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to the colon.
Cisapride stimulated contractile activity in the gastric antrum, ileum, and ascending colon.
Mosapride stimulated contractile activity only in the gastric antrum and ileum. In guinea pigs and rats,
itopride accelerated colonic
luminal transit. On the other hand,
cisapride and
mosapride failed to enhance colonic transit. These results demonstrate that
itopride has a stimulatory action on colonic peristalsis, propelling colonic
luminal contents, different from that of
cisapride and
mosapride. Therefore,
itopride may be a useful
drug for the treatment of functional bowel disorders such as functional
constipation.