Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
Published on: February 3, 2016
Assessment of large bowel motility by cine magnetic resonance imaging using two different prokinetic agents: a
Sonja Buhmann1, Chlodwig Kirchhoff, Christian Wielage
1Department of Clinical Radiology, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany. Sonja.Buhmann@med.uni-muenchen.de
Objectives:
We sought to assess large bowel motility, induced by 2 prokinetic agents, senna tea and erythromycin, using functional cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Materials And Methods:
Twelve volunteers underwent functional cine MRI before and after the administration of senna tea or erythromycin. The protocol consisted of 2 sets of repeated measurements using coronal T2-weighted HASTE sequences, adjusted to the course of the colon. For the assessment of large bowel motility, the changes of the luminal diameter were measured at 5 defined locations in the ascending, transverse, and descending colon.
Results:
In all examined volunteers after senna tea, the mean number of significant changes in the ascending colon was 8.6 and after erythromycin, 7.2. In the transverse colon, 9.6 diameters changed significantly for senna tea and 7.2 for erythromycin. In the descending colon, 6.6 diameters changed after senna tea and 7.2 after erythromycin.
Conclusion:
Senna tea and erythromycin proved to induce large bowel motility; senna tea was more effective. Functional cine MRI is a reliable, noninvasive method for the assessment of colonic motility.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This makes...
Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In situ
The Doluisio method involves perfusing a prepared segment of a rat's small intestine with a solution of radiolabeled drug and a non-absorbable marker. This helps to differentiate between absorbed and non-absorbed drug concentrations. The intestinal segment is connected at both ends using tubing and syringes,...
Endoscopic Procedures III: Video Capsule Endoscopy

