5-HT4 receptor enhances the propulsive power of the peristaltic reflex in the rat distal colon.

The present study was designed to investigate the nature of the 5-HT4 receptors affecting the peristaltic reflex in the isolated rat distal colon. A single peristaltic reflex was evoked by infusing Tyrode solution into the lumen of the isolated segment using our modified Trendelenburg's method under an isovolumic condition. A 5-HT4 receptor agonist, mosapride (10 nM), did not affect the threshold pressure and the propagation distance of the reflex contraction, but significantly increased the developed pressure (maximum pressure - threshold pressure) from 19.