Ghrelin receptors as targets for novel motility drugs.

Abstract

Constipation arises from a multitude of causes, including aging, spinal cord injury (SCI), and dietary issues. The heterogeneity of inciting factors has made the treatment of constipation particularly challenging. Agonists of ghrelin receptors have beneficial effects on delayed gastric emptying, but less is known about their ability to improve colorectal motility. Recent publications indicate that the activation of the ghrelin receptors in the spinal cord can alleviate constipation due to dietary causes, Parkinsonism, and SCI in rodents. Ghrelin-responsive neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the lumbosacral spinal cord can activate enteric microcircuits that coordinate propulsive colorectal contractions, leading to defecation. Learning more about the properties of neurons in the spinal defecation center and the roles of ghrelin receptors in the defecation reflex will accelerate the development of improved treatments of constipation.

• Authors: J L Sessenwein, A E Lomax
• Journal: Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society (Neurogastroenterol Motil) Vol. 27 Issue 5 Pg. 589-93 (May 2015) ISSN: 1365-2982 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25903396 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Receptors, Ghrelin

Topics

• Animals
• Constipation (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Gastrointestinal Motility (physiology)
• Humans
• Molecular Targeted Therapy
• Receptors, Ghrelin (agonists, physiology)