Abstract:Objective To observe the effect of Itopride on gastrointestinal motility in rats with hepatic fai-lure, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into hepatic failure model group (model group), the hepatic failure model + Itopride therapy group (treatment group) and normal control group. Blue dextran-2000 was used as the gastrointestinal marker. Gastrointestinal transit in rats was determined. Radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry method were used to observe the changes of content and distribution of motilin (MTL) in gastric antrum and small intestine of the rats. Results Compared with the control group, the gastrointestinal motility of the rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the content and distribution of MTL in the gastric antrum and duodenum tissue did not significantly decreased (P > 0.05). However, after Itopride treatment, gastrointestinal transmission was significantly improved in the rats (P < 0.05), the content and distribution of MTL increased significantly in the tissues of stomach and duodenum, there were significant differences compared with the model group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Itopride hydrochloride can significantly improve gastrointestinal function of the rats with hepatic failure, and its mecha-nism may be related to MTL.