AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 258, Issue 2 231-G237, Copyright © 1990 by American Physiological Society
Effects of PGF2 alpha and of indomethacin on rabbit small and large intestinal motility in vivo
R. Burakoff, E. Nastos and S. Won
Division of Gastroenterology, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York.
Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) has been shown to increase
contractility in the small intestine and colon in vitro, and increased
mucosal prostaglandin synthesis has been reported in ulcerative colitis.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of PGF2 alpha and of
indomethacin on myoelectric and contractile activity in the rabbit ileum
and colon in vivo. PGF2 alpha caused an increase in spike potential
frequency and contractile activity in the terminal ileum and proximal and
distal colon. Indomethacin alone increased spike potential frequency and
contractile activity in the terminal ileum and proximal colon but decreased
myoelectric activity in the distal colon. It is concluded that PGF2 alpha
may play an important role in modulating intestinal motility, especially in
the distal colon but to a lesser extent in the terminal ileum and proximal
colon.
