Renzapride Accelerates Colonic Transit in IBS-C Patients

The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is thought to be multifactorial,and physical and psychosocial factors may contribute to overall symptom presentation.Therapies that target these contributing factors have been developed.

Renzapride is a serotonin type 4 receptor agonist/type 3 receptor antagonist. The effectof this agent on colonic transit (CT) in patients with IBS with constipation (IBS-C; n = 48,of whom 46 were women) was examined. The findings of this study were published inthe October 2004 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Results demonstrated a linear dose response to renzapride for CT and ascending colonemptying, but not for gastric emptying or small bowel transit. The median ascendingcolon half-time transit was 5.0 hours in patients treated with 4 mg renzapride (n = 12),compared with 17.5 hours in those in the placebo group (n = 12). Improved bowel functionscores (ie, stool form, ease of passage) were significantly (P < .05) associated with acceleratedCT. The authors concluded that renzapride causes clinically significant CT acceleration,which is associated with bowel function improvement in women with IBS-C.