Effects of long-term treatment with anthranoids and sodium picosulphate on the contents of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, somatostatin and substance P in the rat colon.

Abstract

Chronic treatment with anthranoids in high doses, but not with sodium picosulphate, reduces VIP and somatostatin levels in the rat colon. This may represent damage to the enteric nervous tissue or a pharmacological effect of the anthranoids, causing decreased synthesis or increased breakdown of these peptides.