Methods: Rats were subjected to spinal cord contusion injury or were sham-operated. At 6 weeks after surgery, effects of capromorelin on blood pressure, heart rate and propulsive contractions of the colorectum were investigated. Results: Capromorelin caused robust propulsive activity in the colorectum soon after its application. The compound was similarly effective in naïve, sham-operated and spinal cord-injured rats. Blood pressure increases caused by capromorelin were not exaggerated after SCI, and there was no evidence of phasic blood pressure increases when the colon was contracted by the compound. Conclusion: Capromorelin is a therapeutic compound that could potentially be used to relieve constipation by triggering defecation in spinal cord-injured patients.
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