5-HT₄ receptor enhances the propulsive power of the peristaltic reflex in the rat distal colon

The present study was designed to investigate the nature of the 5-HT₄ receptors affecting the peristaltic reflex in the isolated rat distal colon. A single peristaltic reflex was evoked by infusing Tyrode solution into the lumen of the isolated segment using our modified Trendelenburg's method under an isovolumic condition. A 5-HT₄ receptor agonist, mosapride (10 nM), did not affect the threshold pressure and the propagation distance of the reflex contraction, but significantly increased the developed pressure (maximum pressure-threshold pressure) from 19.1±11.8 cm H₂O in the control to 26.8±13.0 cm H₂O (n=8, P<0.05) without affecting the resting muscle tone in the distal colon. The present result suggests that stimulation of 5-HT₄ receptor enhances the propulsive power to move the luminal contents in the rat distal colon.