Abstract: AIM: To assessment the effects of tegaserod 6 mg Bid on dyspeptic symptoms, electrogastrography, gastrointestinal transit and anorectal function in chronic constipation (CC). METHODS: The study consisted of a 2-week baseline period, a 4-week randomized, double-blind treatment period with tegaserod 6 mg Bid or placebo. The treatment was conducted in 43 patients with CC and symptoms of dyspepsia. Dyspeptic symptoms, gastric myoelectrical activity, gastrointestinal transit and anorectal function were evaluated before and after treatment of tegaserod or placebo. RESULTS: In comparison with placebo, ①total dyspeptic symptom scores in patients of CC treated with tegaserod 6mg Bid for 4 weeks were lower than before(11.57±3.24 vs 5.29±1.18, P =0.024); ②Tegaserod decreased normal percentages of postprandial electrogastroactivity (6.58 %±1.29 % vs 11.80 %±3.85 %, P =0.044); ③Tegaserod 6 mg Bid significantly accelerated markers in stomach(5.95±1.65 vs 4.57±1.65, P =0.036) and decreased those in the colon(7.50±2.02 vs 5.89±1.94, P =0.029); ④Tegaserod 6 mg Bid significantly decreased the sensation of defecation volume [(25.2±1.8) mm Hg vs (22.9±2.0) mm Hg, P =0.028] and maximal tolerable volume [(32.1±2.5) mm Hg vs (29.3±2.3) mm Hg, P = 0.043]; ⑤ There was no significant difference in the first sensation volume, rectal resting pressure, anal resting pressure andmaximal squeezing pressure after tegaserod treatment(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Tegaserod 6 mg Bid for 4 weeks may relieve dyspeptic symptoms, significantly accelerate gastrointestinal transit and improve postprandial electrogastroactivity, and decrease the sensation of defecation volume and maximal tolerable volume in patients with with CC.

Key words: tegaserod, chronic constipation, dyspeptic symptoms, electrogastrography, gastrointestinal transit, rectoanal manometry