Tadalafil versus linaclotide in gastrointestinal dysfunction and depressive behavior in constipation-predominant...

Intestinal GC-C/cGMP pathway may be involved in visceral hypersensitivity and fluid secretion in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The guanylcyclase C agonist linaclotide, approved for IBS- constipation, is contraindicated in children as it may cause severe diarrhea. In contrast, drugs increasing cGMP by inhibiting phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) are well tolerated in children with pulmonary hypertension. Accordingly, we investigated whether beneficial effects of linaclotide in IBS might be shared by PDE-5inhibitor tadalafil without the severe diarrhea reported for linaclotide. Since depression is commonly comorbid with IBS and is implicated in its pathophysiology; and since tadalafil is absorbed systemically and crosses blood brain barrier, whereas linaclotide does not, impact of both drugs on behavioral changes in IBS was also investigated.

72 rats were divided into 6groups (control naive, control tadalafil, control linaclotide, untreated IBS, IBS tadalafil, and IBS linaclotide-treated). IBS was induced by 0 to 4 °C intragastric saline for 14 days.

Both drugs reduced visceral hypersensitivity and colonic C fos. Tadalafil, and to a greater extent, linaclotide increased colonic cGMP, fecal pellets (8.66 ± 4.6 (IBS),versus14.8 ± 3.3(tadalafil), 20 ± 1.2(linaclotide), fecal water content (29.8 ± 5.5 (IBS), versus 47.83 ± 12.6 (tadalafil), 63.58 ± 11.6 (linaclotide) and reduced intestinal transit time (% distance travelled: 29 ± 6.1(IBS), versus 40.58 + 7.5(tadalafil), 51.83 ± 8.3(linaclotide). Tadalafil, but not linaclotide, increased hippocampal cGMP, and improved behavioral tests scores compared to linaclotide (immobility time: 97.3 ± 12.5 s (IBS) versus 68 ± 12.8(tadalafil), 80 ± 17.06 (linaclotide).

Systemic PDE-5 inhibitors might be alternatives to locally acting guanyl cyclase agonists in IBS, inducing less severe diarrhea and more beneficial effects on the associated behavioral changes.