The influence of citalopram on interdigestive gastrointestinal motility in man.
BACKGROUND
Administration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and selective 5HT receptor ligands modifies interdigestive motility in animals and in man.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of citalopram, a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, on interdigestive motility in man.


METHODS
In 20 healthy subjects, antroduodenojejunal motor activity was studied manometrically. Basal interdigestive motor activity was recorded until the passage of two activity fronts. Ten minutes after the second activity front, placebo or 20 mg of citalopram was administered intravenously in a double-blind randomized fashion. Recording continued until the passage of two more activity fronts had occurred.


RESULTS
Administration of citalopram induced a premature small intestinal phase 3 after 35 +/- 6.4 min, compared to 120 +/- 17 min after placebo P < 0.01. Citalopram shortened MMC cycle length at the expense of phase 1 and phase 2 and significantly increased the motility index during phase 2 in the antrum and the small intestine.


CONCLUSIONS
In the interdigestive state in man, intravenous administration of the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor citalopram induces a premature intestinal phase 3 and suppresses gastric activity fronts. Phase 2 motility is stimulated both in the stomach and in the small bowel after citalopram. These data suggest that 5HT is involved in the control of interdigestive motility.
Janssen
P
P
Department of Pathophysiology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Vos
R
R
Tack
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015283:Citalopram / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors