Effect of caffeine on movements of the small intestine isolated from male rabbits

ABSTRACT

Caffeine [Caffeine-Sodium benzoate in doses of 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mg in 0.1 ml distilled water stimulated the amplitude of intestinal movements isolated from mature male rabbits. His stimulation increased with gradual increase in caffeine dosage. On the other hand, a small dose of caffeine [0.3 mg in 0.1 ml distilled water] was without effect on intestinal - movements while larger doses of caffeine [1.8 and 2.4 mg in 0.1 ml distilled water] decreased these movements. Avil [Pheniramine hydrogen maleate] which is a histaminic antagonist in a dose of 4.55 mg in.1 ml distilled water antagonized the effect of caffeine on the amplitude of intestinal movements, while other antagonists [atropine as anticholinergic drug and indomethacin as a prostaglandin inhibitor] failed to antagonize the effect of caffeine on isolated intestinal movements. These results led to the conclusion that caffeine acts through the release and potentiation of action of histamine on intestinal movements