Molecules: You'd better learn to live with them.
Yesterday, I discussed a laxative drug that works by drawing water into the intestines (and introduced you to a helpful chart to aid description of particularly ineffable bowel movements).
Here is a drug that works on the same principle, but indirectly - it induces your intestines to secrete ions, which, in turn, cause water to transfer to your intestines and induce bowel movements.
The drug is a prostaglandin - you may know these from drugs that inhibit the formation of certain prostaglandins, such as ibuprofen. As you can see, the class of hormones has a broad range of physiological effects.
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Comments
Cool...this is new to me. I love some novel structures. I'm going to have to look up what endogenous prostaglandins look like...
Posted by: Vince Noir | February 20, 2008 2:31 PM
That is a fetching molecule. Any chance of seeing a cyclooxygenase next?
Posted by: Nightviolet728 | February 20, 2008 9:25 PM
Of course, for another synthetic prostaglandin E1, misoprostil, the bowel movement producing action is called a side-effect. I guess it all depends on the marketing.
Posted by: 3+speckled | February 21, 2008 12:24 AM