Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 86 (3), 281-288 (2001)


Effects of YM905, a Novel Muscarinic M3-Receptor Antagonist, on Experimental Models of Bowel Dysfunction In Vivo

Seiji Kobayashi*, Ken Ikeda, Mami Suzuki, Toshimitsu Yamada and Keiji Miyata

Pharmacology Laboratories, Institute for Drug Discovery Research, Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan

*Corresponding author. FAX: +81-298-54-1616, E-mail: kobayashi.seiji@yamanouchi.co.jp


Abstract: We investigated the effects of YM905 [(+)-(1S,3'R)-quinuclidin-3'-yl 1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-2-carboxylate monosuccinate], a new orally active muscarinic M3-receptor antagonist, on bowel dysfunction in vivo using experimental models that reproduce the symptoms present in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). YM905 potently inhibited restraint stress-induced fecal pellet output in fed rats (ED50: 4.0 mg/kg) and diarrhea in fasted rats (ED50: 1.7 mg/kg), with similar potencies to the inhibition of bethanechol-, neostigmine- and nicotine-induced fecal pellet output in rats (ED50: 3.3, 7.9 and 4.5 mg/kg, respectively). YM905 also inhibited 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-, prostaglandin E2- and castor oil-induced secretory diarrhea in mice (ED50: 5.5, 14 and 6.3 mg/kg, respectively), but showed no significant effect on cholera toxin-induced intestinal secretion in mice. In addition, YM905 (3, 10 mg/kg) reversed morphine-decreased postprandial defecation in ferrets, a model of spastic constipation, whereas remosetron, a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, was not effective. The mode of YM905 action was similar to that of darifenacin, a selective M3-receptor antagonist, with equivalent potencies. By contrast, propantheline, an antimuscarinic drug that has been used for IBS, was much less potent. These results show that YM905 ameliorates a wide spectrum of bowel dysfunctions through the blockade of M3 receptors, suggesting its therapeutic potential for treating IBS.

Keywords: YM905, Muscarinic M3 receptor, Irritable bowel syndrome, Restraint stress, Defecation
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