Idiopathic constipation: Too few stools and too little knowledge

Michel R. Briejer, Jan A.J. Schuurkes, Sushil K. Sarna

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

The precise abnormalities of colonic motility patterns in idiopathic constipation, and the alterations at the cellular, neural, myogenic and biochemical levels that underlie these patterns, are not yet understood. One promising approach in the treatment of constipation seems to be to design drugs that can stimulate GMCs to produce mass movements and consequently defaecation. This could possibly be achieved with the selective 5-HT4 receptor agonists prucalopride and SDZ HTF-919, which are currently in advanced clinical trials. Other mechanisms that provide a means to induce GMCs, such as NK1 receptor agonism, deserve further exploration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-3
Number of pages3
JournalTrends in Pharmacological Sciences
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

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