Takaharu Saito1, Takehisa Yamada1, Yuji Iwanaga1,
Kouji Morikawa1, Osamu Nagata1, Hideo Kato1,
Akiyoshi Mizumoto2 and Zen Itoh2
1Researchﾊand Development Division, Hokuriku Seiyaku, Co.,
Ltd., Inokuchi 37-1-1, Katsuyama, Fukui 911-8555, Japan
2GIﾊLaboratories, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation,
Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
Abstract: The effects of calcium polycarbophil (CP), a water-absorbing
polymer, on bowel movement were examined in comparison with known laxatives
and anti-diarrheal agents in dogs, a species that resembles humans for stool
output. CP increased stool frequency, fecal water content and fecal weight
in a dose-dependent manner, but did not induce diarrhea. Sennoside and carboxymethylcellulose
sodium (CMC-Na) increased fecal water content and induced diarrhea at lower
doses than that which enhanced stool frequency. Trimebutine decreased stool
frequency, fecal weight and fecal water content, resulting in inhibition
rather than stimulation of defecation. In sennoside-induced diarrhea, loperamide
and CP improved stool consistency and this was accompanied by reduced fecal
moisture and frequency of diarrhea. In contrast, CMC-Na aggravated stool
consistency with increased fecal water content and frequency of diarrhea,
and trimebutine had little noticeable effect apart from reducing fecal weight.
Our results show that CP has both laxative and anti-diarrheal effects in
dogs and differed from conventional laxatives and anti-diarrheal agents.
CP may be a suitable agent for treatment of idiopathic constipation, secretory
diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with alternating constipation and
diarrhea and with either predominating in terms of less side effects such
as diarrhea or constipation.
Keywords: Constipation, Diarrhea, Water absorbing polymer, Calcium polycarbophil