Page last updated: 2024-10-24

large intestinal transit

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Migration of ingested material along the length of the large intestine. [GOC:sl, PMID:28157109]

Large intestinal transit, also known as colonic transit, is the movement of food residue, known as chyme, through the large intestine. This complex process involves a combination of muscular contractions, water absorption, and microbial activity.

**1. Arrival of Chyme:**
* Chyme, a semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food, arrives from the small intestine into the cecum, the first part of the large intestine.
* The cecum serves as a holding area for the chyme, allowing time for bacterial fermentation and further digestion.

**2. Colonic Motility:**
* The large intestine exhibits a variety of muscular contractions that propel the chyme along its length.
* **Segmental contractions (haustral contractions):** Localized contractions of circular muscle fibers create pouches called haustra, which mix the chyme and increase surface area for water absorption.
* **Peristalsis:** Coordinated contractions of longitudinal and circular muscle layers create waves that propel the chyme forward.
* **Mass movements:** Powerful, infrequent contractions that move large quantities of chyme over significant distances. These occur primarily after meals and facilitate the emptying of the colon.

**3. Water Absorption:**
* As the chyme travels through the large intestine, water is reabsorbed, resulting in the formation of solid feces.
* This water absorption is critical for maintaining fluid balance in the body.

**4. Microbial Activity:**
* The large intestine harbors a vast and diverse community of bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiota.
* These bacteria play a crucial role in the digestion of indigestible carbohydrates, such as fiber, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have various beneficial effects on the host.
* Microbial fermentation also contributes to the production of gas, which is expelled through flatulence.

**5. Formation and Elimination of Feces:**
* As the chyme progresses through the large intestine, it becomes progressively more solid, forming feces.
* Feces consist of undigested food residue, bacteria, water, and other waste products.
* The rectum, the final segment of the large intestine, stores feces until it is eliminated through defecation.

**Factors Influencing Colonic Transit:**
* **Diet:** High-fiber diets tend to increase transit time, while low-fiber diets decrease it.
* **Hydration:** Adequate hydration is crucial for proper colonic transit.
* **Medications:** Certain medications, such as laxatives and antibiotics, can affect colonic motility.
* **Stress:** Stress can alter gut motility and affect transit time.
* **Physical activity:** Exercise can promote colonic motility.

**Disorders of Colonic Transit:**
* **Constipation:** Slowed colonic transit, leading to infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stool.
* **Diarrhea:** Accelerated colonic transit, resulting in frequent, loose stools.
* **Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):** A chronic disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
* **Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD):** A group of inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract, often impacting colonic transit.'
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Proteins (1)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4A 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:WCB, UniProtKB:Q13639]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (35)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
methylbufotenin5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine : A tryptamine alkaloid that is N,N-dimethyltryptamine substituted by a methoxy group at position 5.aromatic ether;
tertiary amino compound;
tryptamine alkaloid
hallucinogen;
plant metabolite
5-methoxytryptamine5-methoxytryptamine : A member of the class of tryptamines that is the methyl ether derivative of serotonin.

5-Methoxytryptamine: Serotonin derivative proposed as potentiator for hypnotics and sedatives.
aromatic ether;
primary amino compound;
tryptamines
5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor agonist;
5-hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor agonist;
5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptor agonist;
antioxidant;
cardioprotective agent;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
neuroprotective agent;
radiation protective agent;
serotonergic agonist
cisapridecisapride : The amide resulting from formal condensation of 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid with cis-1-[3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]-3-methoxypiperidin-4-amine. It has been used (as its monohydrate or as its tartrate) for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and for non-ulcer dyspepsia, but its propensity to cause cardiac arrhythmias resulted in its complete withdrawal from many countries, including the U.K., and restrictions on its use elsewhere.

Cisapride: A substituted benzamide used for its prokinetic properties. It is used in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, and other disorders associated with impaired gastrointestinal motility. (Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 31st ed)
benzamides
ebastineorganic molecular entity
haloperidolhaloperidol : A compound composed of a central piperidine structure with hydroxy and p-chlorophenyl substituents at position 4 and an N-linked p-fluorobutyrophenone moiety.

Haloperidol: A phenyl-piperidinyl-butyrophenone that is used primarily to treat SCHIZOPHRENIA and other PSYCHOSES. It is also used in schizoaffective disorder, DELUSIONAL DISORDERS, ballism, and TOURETTE SYNDROME (a drug of choice) and occasionally as adjunctive therapy in INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY and the chorea of HUNTINGTON DISEASE. It is a potent antiemetic and is used in the treatment of intractable HICCUPS. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p279)
aromatic ketone;
hydroxypiperidine;
monochlorobenzenes;
organofluorine compound;
tertiary alcohol
antidyskinesia agent;
antiemetic;
dopaminergic antagonist;
first generation antipsychotic;
serotonergic antagonist
sdz 205-557methoxybenzoic acid
metergolinemetergoline : An ergoline alkaloid that is the N-benzyloxycarbonyl derivative of lysergamine. A 5-HT2 antagonist. Also 5-HT1 antagonist and 5-HT1D ligand. Has moderate affinity for 5-HT6 and high affinity for 5-HT7.

Metergoline: A dopamine agonist and serotonin antagonist. It has been used similarly to BROMOCRIPTINE as a dopamine agonist and also for MIGRAINE DISORDERS therapy.
carbamate ester;
ergoline alkaloid
dopamine agonist;
geroprotector;
serotonergic antagonist
gr 127935GR 127935 : A member of the class of benzamides obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of 2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid and the anilino group of 4-methoxy-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)aniline. Potent and selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist (pKi values are 8.5 for both guinea pig 5-HT1D and rat 5-HT1B receptors). Displays > 100-fold selectivity over 5HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C receptors and other receptor types. Centrally active following oral administration.

GR 127935: a 5-HT 1D receptor antagonist
1,2,4-oxadiazole;
benzamides;
N-alkylpiperazine;
N-arylpiperazine
gr 113808GR 113808 : An indolyl carboxylate ester obtained by formal condensation between the carboxy group of 1-methylindole-3-carboxylic acid with the hydroxy group of N-{2-[4-(hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl]ethyl}methanesulfonamide.

GR 113808: structure given in first source; a 5-HT(4) receptor antagonist: GR 125487 is the HCl salt
indolyl carboxylate ester;
piperidines;
sulfonamide
serotonergic antagonist
sb 204070a
piboserodSerotonin 5-HT4 Receptor Antagonists: Drugs that bind to but do not activate SEROTONIN 5-HT4 RECEPTORS, thereby blocking the actions of SEROTONIN or SEROTONIN RECEPTOR AGONISTS.
3-(piperidine-1-yl)propyl 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoate hydrochloride3-(piperidine-1-yl)propyl 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoate hydrochloride: structure given in first source; a 5-HT(4) receptor antagonist
rs 23597-190methoxybenzoic acid
rs 67333RS 67333: 5-HT(4) receptor agonist; structure in first sourcearomatic ketone
tropisetrontropisetron : An indolyl carboxylate ester obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of indole-3-carboxylic acid with the hydroxy group of tropine.

Tropisetron: An indole derivative and 5-HT3 RECEPTOR antagonist that is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting.
indolyl carboxylic acid
curcumincurcumin : A beta-diketone that is methane in which two of the hydrogens are substituted by feruloyl groups. A natural dyestuff found in the root of Curcuma longa.

Curcumin: A yellow-orange dye obtained from tumeric, the powdered root of CURCUMA longa. It is used in the preparation of curcuma paper and the detection of boron. Curcumin appears to possess a spectrum of pharmacological properties, due primarily to its inhibitory effects on metabolic enzymes.
aromatic ether;
beta-diketone;
diarylheptanoid;
enone;
polyphenol
anti-inflammatory agent;
antifungal agent;
antineoplastic agent;
biological pigment;
contraceptive drug;
dye;
EC 1.1.1.205 (IMP dehydrogenase) inhibitor;
EC 1.1.1.21 (aldehyde reductase) inhibitor;
EC 1.1.1.25 (shikimate dehydrogenase) inhibitor;
EC 1.6.5.2 [NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone)] inhibitor;
EC 1.8.1.9 (thioredoxin reductase) inhibitor;
EC 2.7.10.2 (non-specific protein-tyrosine kinase) inhibitor;
EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor;
flavouring agent;
food colouring;
geroprotector;
hepatoprotective agent;
immunomodulator;
iron chelator;
ligand;
lipoxygenase inhibitor;
metabolite;
neuroprotective agent;
nutraceutical;
radical scavenger
snap 37889
norcisapridenorcisapride: metabolite of cisapridebenzamides
prucaloprideprucalopride: a 5-HT4 agonist enterokinetic compoundbenzamides
4-amino-5-chloro-N-[(3R,4S)-1-[3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]-3-methoxy-4-piperidinyl]-2-methoxybenzamidebenzamides
ml 103022-piperidinoethyl 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoate: structure in first source
sb 207710SB 207710: structure given in first source
sb 271046SB 271046: 5-HT(6) receptor antagonist; structure in first source
sb 269970SB 269970: a 5-HT(7) antagonist; structure in first sourcesulfonamide
n-(2,5-dibromo-3-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-ylbenzenesulfonamideN-(2,5-dibromo-3-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-ylbenzenesulfonamide: structure in first source
brl 24682BRL 24682: RN given for (endo)-isomer; structure in first source
sb258741
4-n-butyl-1-(4-(2-methylphenyl)-4-oxo-1-butyl)-piperidine hydrogen chloride
sb-656104-aSB-656104-A: structure in first source
barettinbarettin: isolated as a Z/E mixture from sponge Geodia barretti; structure in first sourceorganic molecular entity
naluzotannaluzotan: an antidepressant and anti-anxiety agent; structure in first source
td-5108TD-5108: a selective 5-HT(4) receptor agonist with high intrinsic activity; structure in first source
donecopridedonecopride: a dual serotonin subtype 4 receptor agonist/acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with potential interest for Alzheimer's disease treatment; structure in first source
clozapineclozapine : A benzodiazepine that is 5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepine substituted by a chloro group at position 8 and a 4-methylpiperazin-1-yl group at position 11. It is a second generation antipsychotic used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.

Clozapine: A tricylic dibenzodiazepine, classified as an atypical antipsychotic agent. It binds several types of central nervous system receptors, and displays a unique pharmacological profile. Clozapine is a serotonin antagonist, with strong binding to 5-HT 2A/2C receptor subtype. It also displays strong affinity to several dopaminergic receptors, but shows only weak antagonism at the dopamine D2 receptor, a receptor commonly thought to modulate neuroleptic activity. Agranulocytosis is a major adverse effect associated with administration of this agent.
benzodiazepine;
N-arylpiperazine;
N-methylpiperazine;
organochlorine compound
adrenergic antagonist;
dopaminergic antagonist;
EC 3.4.21.26 (prolyl oligopeptidase) inhibitor;
environmental contaminant;
GABA antagonist;
histamine antagonist;
muscarinic antagonist;
second generation antipsychotic;
serotonergic antagonist;
xenobiotic
tegaserodtegaserod: a nonbenzamide 5-hydroxytryptamine(4) agonist; used in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome; marketing suspended 2007 in US due to higher incidence of MI, stroke, and unstable angina; structure given in first sourcecarboxamidine;
guanidines;
hydrazines;
indoles
gastrointestinal drug;
serotonergic agonist