Summary
Motor activity of the colon and reflex behaviour of the anal sphincters in normal subjects and in patients with idiopathic constipation were studied using a novel probe with 5 open-end tips to measure pressures, and 3 balloons for stimulation of the distal colon. Constipation appeared to be associated with an increased threshold of the inhibitory relaxation reflex of the internal anal sphincter (41.7 in normals and 65.7 in patients), and in particular with a blunted sensation of the defaecation urge (51.0 in normals and 112.8 in patients). Single-blind comparison with a placebo showed that cisapride, a new gastrointestinal prokinetic substance, had a significant effect on the sensation threshold, which normalized or improved in 15 out of the 16 patients studied.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Corazziari E, Dani S, Pozzessere C (1975) Colonic segmental transit times in non-organic constipation. Rendic. Gastroenterol 7: 67–69
Martelli H, Devroede G, Arhan P, Duguay C (1978) Mechanisms of idiopathic constipation: outlet obstruction. Gastroenterol 75: 623–631
Haddad H, Devroede-Bertrand G (1981) Large bowel motility disorders. Med Clin North Am 65: 1377–1396
Reboa G, Bertoglio C, Giusto F, Terrizzi A, Secco GB (1979) Une nuova metodica per lo studio simultaneo della motilità del colon sinistro e degli sfinteri anali. Il Policlinico Sez Chirurgica 86: 359–362
Berti Riboli E, Reboa G, Secco GB, Terrizzi A, Giusto F (1979) Un originale studio reflessologico dell'intestino e degli sfinteri anali su 42 casi di stipsi. V. Congr Soc Ricerche Chirurgia, Parma, 23–24
Berti Riboli E, Reboa G (1980) La patologia motoria del colon. Piccin Editore, Padova
Van Nueten JM, Van Daele PGH, Reyntjens AJ, Janssen PAJ, Schuurkes JAJ (1984) Gastrointestinal motility stimulating properties of cisapride, a non-antidopaminergic non-cholinergic compound. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on GI motility, France (in press)
Schuurkes JAJ, Akkermans LMA, Van Nueten JM (1984) Stimulating effects of cisapride on antroduodenal motility in the conscious dog. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on GI motility, France (in press)
Schuurkes JAJ, Van Nueten JM (1984) Control of gastroduodenal coordination: dopaminergic and cholinergic pathways. Scand J Gastroenterol (in press) (Suppl. 2nd Int. Symp. on Duodenogastric Reflux, Switzerland)
Snape WJ, Matarazzo SA, Cohen S (1978) Effect of eating and gastrointestinal hormones or human colonic myoelectrical and motor activity. Gastroenterol 75: 373–378
Martelli H, Devroede G, Arhan P, Duguay C, Dornic C, Faverdin C (1978) Some parameters of large bowel motility in normal man. Gastroenterol 75: 612–618
Farthing MJG, Lennard-Jones JE (1978) Sensibility of the rectum to distension and the anorectal distension reflex in ulcerative colitis. Gut 19: 64–69
Klein J (1982) Constipation and fecal impaction. Med Clin North Am 66: 1135–1141
Gutierrez JG, Shah AN (1975) Autonomic control of the internal anal sphincter in man. In: Vantrappen G (ed) Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Gastrointestinal Motility, Typoff-Press. Herentals, Belgium 363–371
Burleigh DE, D'Mello A (1983) Neural and pharmacologic factors affecting motility of the internal anal sphincter. Gastroenterol 84: 409–417
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reboa, G., Arnulfo, G., Frascio, M. et al. Colon motility and colo-anal reflexes in chronic idiopathic constipation. Effects of a novel enterokinetic agent cisapride. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 26, 745–748 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541936
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00541936