A Method for Studying the Actions of Drugs on Motility of Vascularly Perfused Segments of Human Colon

The isolated, vascularly perfused human colon is a novel method for investigating drug action on this organ. Measurement of the integrated motility of the muscle layers and the facility for administering drugs via the blood supply represent advances over muscle strip studies. Viability of the specimens was improved by addition of Dextran 70 to the perfusion fluid to minimise oedema. Changes in motility were recorded with small, water-filled intraluminal balloons. Measurements were made for 10 min periods immediately before and after drug administration using a linear displacement method. Both neostigmine (1.0-3.0 micrograms/ml) and bethanechol (1.0-5 micrograms/ml) significantly increased motility of the segments, while morphine (10-50 micrograms/ml) did not.