title: Selective effects of serotonergic psychoactive agents on gastrointestinal functions in health.
abstract: This study evaluated the effects of serotonergic psychoactive agents on gastrointestinal functions in healthy human subjects. Participants received one of four regimens in a randomized, double-blind manner: buspirone, a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (10 mg twice daily); paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (20 mg daily); venlafaxine-XR, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (75 mg daily); or placebo for 11 days. Physiological testing performed on days 8-11 included scintigraphic assessment of gastrointestinal and colonic transit, the nutrient drink test, and assessment of the postprandial change in gastric volume. Fifty-one healthy adults (40 females, 11 males) participated in this study. No effects on gastric emptying or colonic transit were identified with any agent. Small bowel transit of a solid meal was accelerated by paroxetine. Buspirone decreased postprandial aggregate symptom and nausea scores. Venlafaxine-XR increased the postprandial change in gastric volume. Buspirone, paroxetine, and venlafaxine-XR affect upper gastrointestinal functions in healthy humans. These data support the need for clinical and physiological studies of these agents in functional gastrointestinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chial
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camilleri
authors.forename: Duane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomforde
authors.forename: Kevin W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Olden
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002065:Buspirone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D002065:Buspirone; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017374:Paroxetine; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride