Gastrointestinal Motility Stimulating Properties of Cisapride, a Non-Antidopaminergic Non-Cholinergic Compound

Cisapride, a novel gastrokinetic compound, effectively improves electrically evoked contractions of the guinea pig ileum (ED50 9.2 x 10-9 M) most likely via facilitation of the release of acetylcholine. It also enhances spontaneous contractions of the stomach and induces contractions of colonic strips of the guinea pig. Furthermore, cisapride antagonizes gastric relaxations as induced by adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic agonists or by sympathetic nerve stimulation. The enhanced contractions and reduced relaxations suggest a role for cisapride in gastrointestinal motor disorders.