Inhibition of intestinal motility and reversal of postlaparotomy ileus by selective alpha 2-adrenergic drugs in the rat.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The effects of selective alpha-agonist medetomidine and alpha 2-antagonist atipamezole on gastrointestinal motility were studied.

METHODS:

The passage of intragastrically administered Evans blue in the small bowel of unanesthetized rats was followed, and the stomachs were weighted after killing the rats.

RESULTS:

Subcutaneous medetomidine, 0.01-0.1 mg/kg, was found to delay small intestinal transit but not gastric emptying, with a maximal effect seen at 0.03 mg/kg. Atipamezole fully reversed the effect of 0.1 mg/kg of medetomidine with a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Atipamezole alone did not affect small intestinal transit. Subcutaneous morphine, 6 mg/kg, delayed gastric emptying and small intestinal transit, whereas intraperitoneal morphine only delayed gastric emptying. Subcutaneous atipamezole, 0.06 mg/kg, was partially able to reverse the delayed intestinal transit but did not inhibit morphine-induced gastric retention. Subcutaneous atipamezole, 0.06 mg/kg, reversed laparotomy-induced ileus completely.

CONCLUSIONS:

Atipamezole may provide a useful treatment for postlaparotomy ileus.

• Authors: H Tanila, T Kauppila, T Taira
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 104 Issue 3 Pg. 819-24 (Mar 1993) ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8095034 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
• Imidazoles
• Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
• atipamezole
• Morphine
• Medetomidine

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists (pharmacology)
• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Analysis of Variance
• Animals
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Gastric Emptying (drug effects)
• Gastrointestinal Motility (drug effects)
• Imidazoles (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Intestinal Obstruction (drug therapy, etiology)
• Laparotomy (adverse effects)
• Male
• Medetomidine
• Morphine (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha (drug effects, physiology)