title: New treatment targets for the management of irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) are highly prevalent medical conditions that reduce quality of life and represent a substantial economic burden on healthcare cost. Until recently, no specific treatment options were available. This review will provide an update of the most recent randomized clinical trials data showing efficacy and safety of novel, targeted treatment modalities in IBS and CIC with gastrointestinal receptor and ion channel agonists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent discoveries of peptides and small molecules targeting gastrointestinal receptors and ion channels resulted in novel, specific pharmacological therapies of IBS and CIC. The bicyclical fatty acid lubiprostone and the synthetic 14-amino acid peptide linaclotide were identified to selectively activate a Chloride Channel-2 and the Guanylin Cyclase-C receptor, respectively, and demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of IBS with constipation and CIC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Novel molecules including the bicyclical fatty acid lubiprostone and the synthetic 14-amino acid peptide linaclotide represent new treatment modalities for IBS with constipation and CIC with proven efficacy and acceptable side-effect profiles.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Supriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: H Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D000527:Alprostadil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068238:Lubiprostone; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D010455:Peptides; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D000068238:Lubiprostone; D000527:Alprostadil; C523483:linaclotide