VERAPAMIL AND LOPERAMIDE

Background: In smooth muscle cells, an increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration is an essential step for the cells to contract. The increase in calcium concentration occurs by influx from the extra cellular medium through calcium ion channels. Calcium channels have potential role in regulation of motility in gastrointestinal tract so there is growing interest in calcium channel blockers as a potential pharmacological approach to the treatment of various gastrointestinal motor disorders. In this study we evaluate the inhibitory effects of verapamil on spontaneous contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum and compare them with inhibitory effects of loperamide. Materials and Methods: Isolated intestinal segments of sixteen guinea pigs were used in this study. Serial dilutions (10-18 - 10-3 gm/ml) of loperamide and verapamil were administered; effects observed and recorded by 7B Grass Polygraph machine. Results: We observed that at lower concentrations, loperamide showed more inhibitory effects than verapamil while at higher concentrations (10-4 and 10-3 gm/ml) verapamil showed more inhibitory effects than loperamide on the contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum. Conclusion: This study gave us a clue that verapamil found a potent inhibitor of small intestinal contractions as loperamide. However one can presume further that calcium channel blocker verapamil acting on calcium channel receptor on GIT will be developed with more specific effects on smooth muscle of intestinal tract.