Purinergic reflex activated by cathartics in the rat.

Phenlaxine and bisacodyl were shown to inhibit gastric emptying and motility by activating a reflex arising from the small intestine. This effect produced by the cathartics could not be prevented either by alpha or beta sympatholytic, or by parasympatholytic agents; further it was antagonized by quinine and quinidine, as well as by chloroquine and mepacrine in doses found to suppress gastric motility in untreated animals. The inhibition of gastric motility through cathartics does not appear to be due to an effect on adrenergic or cholinergic pathways but rather to involve a purinergic mechanism.