Stimulating Effects of KW-5092, a Novel Gastroprokinetic Agent, on the Gastric Emptying, Small Intestinal Propulsion and Colonic Propulsion in Rats

KW-5092 ({l-[2-[[[5-(piperidinomethyl)-2-furanyl]methyl]amino]ethyl]-2-imidazolidinylidene} propanedinitrile fumarate) is a novel gastroprokinetic agent with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and acetylcholine (ACh) release facilitatory activity. The present study examined the effects of KW-5092 on gastrointestinal (GI) propulsion in rats. KW-5092 at 1 to 30 mg/kg, p.o. dose-dependently enhanced the gastric emptying, small intestinal propulsion and the proximal and distal colonic propulsion. Metoclopramide, a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist with ACh release facilitatory activity, dose-dependently enhanced the gastric emptying at 0.03 to 1 mg/kg, p.o., whereas this drug did not affect the small intestinal propulsion, or the proximal and distal colonic propulsion. Neostigmine, an AChE inhibitor, dose-dependently enhanced the small intestinal propulsion and the proximal and the distal colonic propulsion at 0.3 to 10 mg/kg, p.o., whereas it delayed the gastric emptying at 10 mg/kg, p.o. The present results demonstrate that KW-5092 enhances the GI propulsion from the stomach to the colon and that metoclopramide or neostigmine enhances only the upper or the lower GI propulsion, respectively. Thus, KW-5092 may be a gastroprokinetic drug of a novel type for the treatment of GI motility dysfunctions in a wide range from the stomach to the colon.