Inhibition of the colonic motor response to eating by pinaverium bromide in irritable bowel syndrome patients.

The effect of pinaverium bromide on the colonic motor response to eating was investigated in 10 irritable bowel syndrome patients, by means of an intraluminal probe supporting 8 groups of electrodes. At each site examined from transverse to sigmoid colon, the electromyograms exhibited 2 kinds of spike bursts: short spike bursts (SSB) localized at one electrode, and long spike bursts (LSB), isolated, propagated orally or aborally over a few centimeters, or aborally propagated over the whole length of the colon investigated (migrating long spike bursts, MLSB). Recordings were continuously performed over 24 hr. Each patient received at 7.00 p.m. on day 1 and at noon on day 2 an 800-1000 Kcal meal preceded by IV administration of pinaverium bromide (4 mg) or placebo. After placebo administration, the duration of LSB activity and the number of MLSB were significantly increased over 3 postprandial hr by comparison with the 2 hr preceding the meal. After pinaverium injection no significant postprandial change in LSB and MLSB activity was noted. The SSB activity was not modified after the meals preceded by placebo or pinaverium injection. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of pinaverium bromide on postprandial colonic motility may support the clinical efficacy of this agent in the treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome.