Korean J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2008 Jun;14(1):18-23.

The Effect of Itopride Hydrochloride on the Gastrointestinal Motility in Postoperative Ileus of Guinea Pigs

• Lim HC
• Chon NR
• Choi EJ
• Lee YH
• Lee MG
• Park H

Abstract

BACKGROUND
S/AIM: Postoperative ileus (POI) is characterized by a transiently impaired propulsive function of the entire gastrointestinal tract which results from activated inhibitory sympathetic neural reflexes in the gut after abdominal surgery. Itopride hydrochloride (itopride) has been known as a gastroprokinetic agent which inhibits acetylcholinesterase and as antagonizes dopamine D2 receptor. The aim of this experiment is to clarify gastrointestinal motility effect of itopride in POI in guinea pigs.
METHODS
Open laparatomy was performed on guinea pig to induce POI. Charcoal was administered through orogastric tubes. The distance of charcoal migration from pylorus to the distal intestine was measured after administration of itopride 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg. Additional experiments with infusion of dopamine and atropine was done to investigate its mechanism.
RESULTS
The gastrointestinal transit was significantly decreased in POI group compared with sham operation group. Itopride showed significant increase in the charcoal movement through the intestine compared with the POI group. A combination of dopamine or atropine with itopride displayed considerable decrease in the migration distance compared with that of itopride alone.
CONCLUSIONS
POI group exhibited decrease in gastrointestinal motiliy, and conversely, administration of itopride promoted it through anti-dopaminergic and cholinergic mechanism.

Keyword

Postoperative ileus; Itopride hydrochloride; Gastrointestinal transit

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholinesterase
Animals
Atropine
Benzamides
Benzyl Compounds
Charcoal
Dopamine
Gastrointestinal Motility
Gastrointestinal Tract
Gastrointestinal Transit
Guinea
Guinea Pigs
Ileus
Intestines
Pylorus
Receptors, Dopamine D2
Reflex
Salicylamides
Acetylcholinesterase
Atropine
Benzamides
Benzyl Compounds
Charcoal
Dopamine
Receptors, Dopamine D2
Salicylamides