Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (Print Edition) 2008-02-01

Inhibitory effects of ramosetron, a potent and selective 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, on conditioned fear stress-induced abnormal defecation and normal defecation in rats: comparative studies with antidiarrheal and spasmolytic agents.

Takuya Hirata, Toshiyuki Funatsu, Yoshihiro Keto, Shinobu Akuzawa, Masao Sasamata, Keiji Miyata

Index: J. Pharmacol. Sci. 106(2) , 264-70, (2008)

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Abstract

We examined the effect of ramosetron, a potent serotonin (5-HT)(3)-receptor antagonist for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, on conditioned fear stress (CFS)-induced defecation and normal (non-stressed) defecation in rats and compared ramosetron with the antidiarrheal agent loperamide and the spasmolytic agents trimebutine and tiquizium. Ramosetron, loperamide, trimebutine, and tiquizium significantly inhibited CFS-induced defecation in a dose-dependent manner with ED(50) (95% confidence limit) values of 0.019 (0.01 - 0.028), 9.4 (4.0 - 22), 850 (520 - 2,400), and 300 (190 - 450) mg/kg, respectively. A significant effect of ramosetron on CFS-induced defecation appeared at 10 min after dosing and was sustained for 8 h. In contrast, loperamide, trimebutine, and tiquizium significantly inhibited CFS-induced defecation between 1 - 8, 1 - 4, and 1 - 8 h after administration, respectively. High doses of ramosetron did not affect normal defecation, whereas loperamide, trimebutine, and tiquizium significantly inhibited this process. In conclusion, ramosetron has potent, rapid-onset, and long-lasting inhibitory effects on CFS-induced defecation in rats, but does not influence normal defecation. The present findings indicate that ramosetron will be a useful therapeutic agent for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, showing greater efficacy and safety than other antidiarrheal and spasmolytic agents.