Effect of zaldaride maleate, an antidiarrheal compound, on fecal pellet output induced by hyperpropulsion in gastrointestine of rats

The effect of zaldaride, a calmodulin inhibitor, on fecal pellet output in rats was compared with that of loperamide, an antidiarrheal drug. 5-Hydroxy tryptamine (10 mg/kg, s.c.), neostigmine (0.3 mg/kg, s.c.) and nicotine (1. 0 mg/kg, s.c.) increased fecal pellet output. Zaldaride (greater than or eq ual to 30 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced these increases in fecal pellet outputs. Lop eramide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited fecal pellet output induced by 5-hydroxy tryptamine and neostigmine but not nicotine. Under normal conditions, zalda ride and loperamide did not affect fecal pellet output at doses used in the se studies. In conclusion, zaldaride may inhibit increases in fecal pellet output induced by hyperpropulsion of the gastrointestinal tract without cau sing constipation as a side effect.