Ileal and colonic contractions by endothelin-1 in experimentally induced paralytic ileus in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of endothelin-1 on the isolated distal ileum and proximal colon in an experimentally induce d ileus in rats. Ileal and colonic contractions by endothelin-1, acetylchol ine alone and with endothelin-1 were recorded both in normal and experiment ally induced paralytic ileus in rats. In the control group, all the respons es to acetylcholine were found to be potentiated significantly when used to gether with endothelin-1 but in paralytic ileus group, no detectable change was observed in the responses of the amine after administration of acetylc holine together with endothelin-1. This study indicates that endothelin-1 m ight have an effect on gastrointestinal motility and postoperative paralyti c ileus. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.