1,721,133 research outputs found

    Linaclotide for the treatment of chronic constipation

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    Chronic constipation (CC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with limited treatment options. Linaclotide is a potent peptide agonist of the guanylate cyclase-C receptor. This action activates intracellular conversion of guanosine 5-triphosphate to cyclic guanosine monophosphate resulting in the stimulation of intestinal fluid secretion. Linaclotide is a promising new agent for refractory constipation. Areas covered: All published articles regarding the development, clinical efficacy, and safety of linaclotide in treating CC were reviewed. Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of this secretagogue agent were examined. Clinical studies showed that linaclotide increases the number of spontaneous bowel movements and stool consistency scores. Overall, patients reported relief from abdominal discomfort and severity of constipation. Finally, linaclotide has a good safety profile, with diarrhea being the main side effect. Expert opinion: Linaclotide appears to be a well-tolerated and effective agent for patients with CC, and could be effectively combined with other drugs in patients with refractory constipation. However, data on the efficacy and safety of linaclotide in pediatric patients and in opioid-induced constipation are currently limited and more studies need to be undertaken

    Velusetrag for the treatment of chronic constipation

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    ABSTRACT: Introduction: Chronic constipation is a frequent complaint in daily clinical practice. Notwithstanding the availability of numerous drugs, its treatment it is still unsatisfactory. However, new emerging treatments are in the pipeline and some drugs seem to be promising; among these velusetrag, a selective 5-HT4 receptors agonist. Areas covered: An in depth Medline literature search was performed concerning topics related to the treatment of constipated patients with velusetrag. In addition, abstracts concerning the topic were searched by hand in our libraries. Expert opinion: After analyzing the available data, the authors feel that velusetrag may likely improve symptoms and the quality of life of chronically constipated subjects. However, additional data is needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy of velusetrag, particularly in patients on long-term therapy. Thanks to the once-daily dosing and the pharmacologic properties, velusetrag could be used as a single agent or in association with other drugs. In the future, this drug holds the potential to be an effective adjunct to the therapeutic armamentarium for chronic constipation

    Prucalopride succinate for the treatment of constipation: An update

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    Constipation is a disorder frequently complained about by patients in daily clinical practice. However, to date, its treatment is still commonly unsatisfactory, especially concerning patients quality of life, when using conventional measures. Prucalopride, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 agonist, was introduced to the market in 2009 and has been commercially available in Europe since 2010. The main effect of prucalopride is to stimulate colonic motility, which explains its efficacy to treat constipated patients unresponsive to other regimens. Literature search was carrieod out to look for effects of prucalopride on constipated patients. Several papers were found demonstrating that prucalopride is effective in treatment of constipated patients. Due to its few side effects, the lack of cardiovascular effects and interactions with other drugs, prucalopride may be safely used in elderly people as well

    Altered neuro-endocrine-immune pathways in the irritable bowel syndrome: The top-down and the bottom-up model

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    The interaction between the brain and the gut as a pathological mechanism of functional gastrointestinal disorders has been recently recognized in the pathophysiology of the irritable bowel syndrome. Communication between central nervous system and enteric nervous system is two-directional: the brain can influence the function of the enteric nervous system and the gut can influence the brain via vagal and sympathetic afferents. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome, symptoms may be caused by alterations either primarily in the central nervous system (top-down model), or in the gut (bottom-up model), or in a combination of both. The brain-gut axis may be stimulated by various stressors either directed to the central nervous system (exteroreceptive stress) or to the gut (interoceptive stress). Particularly, clinical evidence suggest that in complex and multifactorial diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, psychological disorders represent significant factors in the pathogenesis and course of the syndrome. Neuroimaging techniques have shown functional differences between central process in healthy subjects and patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, a high prevalence of psychological/ psychiatric disorders have been reported in IBS patients compared to controls. Several data also suggest an alteration of neuro-endocrine and autonomic output to the periphery in these patients. This review will examine and discuss the complex interplay of neuro-endocrine-immune pathways, closely associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. © Springer 2012

    Descending perineum syndrome: Are abdominal hysterectomy and bowel habits linked?

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    PURPOSE: This retrospective study evaluates the effect of abdominal hysterectomy on patients affected by descending perineum syndrome. METHODS: Eighty-nine female patients affected by descending perineum syndrome and one group of 10 healthy women with normal bowel habits were studied retrospectively. Thirty-two descending perineum syndrome patients (Group 1) had received an abdominal hysterectomy for benign diseases, while 57 descending perineum syndrome patients (Group 2) had not undergone this surgery. All 99 subjects underwent clinical evaluation, computerized anorectal manometry, and defecography. RESULTS: Dyschezia was found predominantly in Group 2 subjects (P < 0.05). Fecal incontinence was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.05). The worst anal resting pressure was found in the incontinent Group 1 patients (P < 0.01). Rectoanal intussusception was a significant defecographic sign in Group 1 subjects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical evaluation and instrumental data suggested a possible link between fecal incontinence and abdominal hysterectomy in patients affected by descending perineum syndrome. © The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
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