Effect of alosetron on responses to colonic distension in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Visceral hypersensitivity plays a major role in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome, as shown by balloon distension studies. 5-HT3 receptors on afferent nerves may modulate visceral sensitivity and be the target of new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of alosetron, a potent and selective 5-HT3 antagonist, on the perception of colonic distension by patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and on the colonic compliance to distension with a barostat.

Aortic endothelial cells in culture secrete glycoproteins reacting with blood platelets.

The culture medium of bovine aortic endothelial cells contains proteins which inhibit the aggregation of platelets induced by aortic microfibrils but not by type III collagen. From this medium, fibronectin, thrombospondin and a glycoprotein with MW of 128 Kd (GP 128), similar to a glycoprotein described in a microfibrillar extract from bovine aorta were separated by affinity and ion exchange chromatography. GP 128 was further purified by molecular sieve chromatography on SW 3000 column.