Enteric bacterial overgrowth resulting from compromised gastrointestinal motility has been suggested to be important for the development of enteric bacterial translocation. In the present study, the effect of cisapride, a 5-hydroxytryptamine-4-receptor agonist and stimulant of intestinal motility, was evaluated concerning intestinal motility, as measured by intestinal transit time, enteric bacterial overgrowth, and bacterial translocation from the gut in rats with acute liver failure induced by 90% hepatectomy. The results demonstrated that (1) the incidence of bacterial translocation to the systemic and portal circulation as well as to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs was nil, and 17–33% to MLN in hepatectomized animals treated with cisapride, i.e. significantly lower than in hepatectomized rats administered saline; (2) overgrowth of E. coli in the intestine was noted in hepatectomized animals given saline, but not following cisapride treatment; (3) cisapride improved the otherwise delayed intestinal transit time following hepatectomy as shown by an increase in the leading edge of isotopic propulsion and the linear slope of the cumulative percent of radioactivity through each intestinal segment. Thus, we conclude that intravenous administration of cisapride prevents enteric bacterial overgrowth and bacterial translocation by improving intestinal motility in rats with acute liver failure induced by subtotal hepatectomy.

Keywords:
Bacterial translocation, Acute liver failure, Hepatectomy, Cisapride, Motility, Rat
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel
1996
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.