Gastrointestinal transit modulation

Gastrointestinal transit modulation describes the alteration of the rate or pattern of movement of food and waste through the digestive tract. This process is regulated by complex interactions between the enteric nervous system, central autonomic circuits, interstitial cells of Cajal, gut peptides (such as cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, ghrelin), and the intestinal microbiota. Drugs targeting these systems can either accelerate or slow gut transit to treat conditions like constipation, diarrhea, and disorders of nutrient absorption. Gastrointestinal transit is not a specific gene or protein, but a physiological process governed by multiple integrated molecular and cellular pathways.

Other names

Modulation of gut motilityRegulation of gastrointestinal transitGI transit modulation

Modulation of neural (enteric and autonomic nervous system) signaling, Hormonal regulation (e.g., via GLP-1, CCK, PYY), Direct effects on smooth muscle contractility, Modulation of interstitial cells of Cajal activity, Altering gut microbiota composition