title: Pathogenesis and pharmacology of diarrhea.
abstract: The etiological factors involved in diarrhea are multiple. Also the mechanisms and mediators involved are multiple: intracellular mediators (Ca, cAMP, cGMP, calmodulin, phospholipids), extracellular mediators (hormones, neurotransmitters, prostaglandins, enterotoxins...), intramural blood flow and oxygen, intestinal motility (local- and peristaltic motility). Till now, antidiarrheals are not so versatile that they provide a solution to all types of diarrhea. The mechanisms of action of fluid replacement therapy, loperamide, alpha 2 agonist and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory substances are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008139:Loperamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D002395:Catecholamines; D002712:Chlorides; D012701:Serotonin; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013004:Somatostatin; D008139:Loperamide; D006632:Histamine; D005934:Glucagon; D012964:Sodium; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D006152:Cyclic GMP; D000109:Acetylcholine; D002118:Calcium