Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS01:17

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists01:23

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Connecting the Dots Between Theory and Practice: Speaking With Your Patients About IBS-C Management.

Gastroenterology & hepatology·2026
Same author

Managing the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Gastroenterology & hepatology·2026
Same author

Rapid Gastric Emptying: Insights from a Large Cohort Study on a Controversial Disorder.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same author

Correction to: Abdominal Symptom Improvement During Clinical Trials of Tenapanor in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation: A Post Hoc Analysis.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
Same author

Design of Treatment Trials for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

Gastroenterology·2026
Same author

Bowel Disorders.

Gastroenterology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

A Proteoliposome-Based Efflux Assay to Determine Single-molecule Properties of Cl- Channels and Transporters
07:47

A Proteoliposome-Based Efflux Assay to Determine Single-molecule Properties of Cl- Channels and Transporters

Published on: April 20, 2015

Lubiprostone: a chloride channel activator.

Brian E Lacy1, L Campbell Levy

  • 1Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. brian.lacy@hitchcock.org

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|April 7, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Lubiprostone, approved for chronic constipation, activates chloride channels in the GI tract to increase fluid secretion and improve bowel movements. This medication enhances intestinal transit for adults 18 and over.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

A Proteoliposome-Based Efflux Assay to Determine Single-molecule Properties of Cl- Channels and Transporters
07:47

A Proteoliposome-Based Efflux Assay to Determine Single-molecule Properties of Cl- Channels and Transporters

Published on: April 20, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic constipation affects a significant portion of the adult population.
  • Current treatments for chronic constipation have limitations.
  • Chloride channels play a crucial role in gastrointestinal fluid regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of chloride channels in the GI tract.
  • To describe the structure, function, and pharmacokinetics of lubiprostone.
  • To discuss clinical data on lubiprostone for chronic constipation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on chloride channels and lubiprostone.
  • Analysis of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data.
  • Discussion of clinical trial results and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Lubiprostone is a prostone, a metabolite of prostaglandin E1.
  • It activates the ClC-2 chloride channel in the GI tract.
  • This activation enhances intestinal fluid secretion, increasing GI transit and improving constipation symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Lubiprostone is an FDA-approved medication for chronic constipation in adults.
  • Its mechanism involves activating chloride channels to promote fluid secretion.
  • Clinical data support its efficacy in improving symptoms and transit.