MOTILITY/DIGESTION

Effects of ginger constituents on the gastrointestinal tract: role of cholinergic M3 and serotonergic 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors
This study investigated how compounds found in ginger affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The researchers focused on specific receptors—M3 (cholinergic) and 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 (serotonergic)—which play roles in gut motility and function. They found that ginger constituents can interact with these receptors, potentially influencing GI motility and offering insights into how ginger might alleviate symptoms like nausea or indigestion.

The effect of ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) extract supplementation on gastric motility: a pilot randomized study in healthy volunteers
This small randomized trial gave healthy volunteers extracts of ginger and artichoke to see how they affected how fast the stomach empties (gastric motility). The authors found that the combination of ginger and artichoke improved stomach emptying compared to baseline, suggesting these herbal extracts may help with digestive movement.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria slow intestinal transit in a bismuth-reversible fashion in mice
This study found that the administration of live SRB (Sulfate-reducing bacteria), specifically Desulfovibrio vulgaris, to mice resulted in slowed intestinal transit. The addition of bismuth subsalicylate reversed this slowing effect, suggesting that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) produced by SRB plays a role in altering gut motility. These findings highlight the potential impact of gut microbiota on gastrointestinal function and the therapeutic implications of bismuth-containing compounds in managing related disorders.

A new role for microbiota? Dulling the thrust of serotonin and 5HT3 signaling cascade
Published in the American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, detailing the interaction of the microbiota with the serotonin system to influence gut motility. The article explores how certain microbes can reduce the activity of serotonin and 5HT3 receptors, leading to a decrease in the strength of the gut's propulsive contractions, or thrust.

The gaseous mediator, hydrogen sulphide, inhibits in vitro motor patterns in the human, rat and mouse colon and jejunum
This study found that H₂S, a gaseous signaling molecule, inhibits the motor patterns of the colon and jejunum in vitro across human, rat, and mouse tissues. The researchers observed that H₂S reduced the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions in these segments of the gastrointestinal tract. These findings suggest that H₂S plays a role in modulating gut motility and may have implications for understanding gastrointestinal disorders associated with altered motility.

Potential role of the gaseous mediator hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in inhibition of human colonic contractility
This study explores how H₂S, a gaseous signaling molecule, affects the contractile behaviour of human colonic smooth muscle. The researchers found that H₂S can inhibit colonic muscle contractions, suggesting that it plays a role in regulating colonic motility. The findings highlight the potential of H₂S as a mediator in gastrointestinal function and its possible implications in disorders related to colonic motility.

Methanogens, methane and gastrointestinal motility
This review explains that methane-producing bacteria in the gut (methanogens) are linked to slower intestinal movement and constipation, including IBS-C. Studies suggest methane may directly slow gut transit, and reducing these bacteria with antibiotics can improve symptoms. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear, and more research is needed.

The effects and mechanism of action of methane on ileal motor function
This study found that methane inhibits the contractions of the ileum, suggesting that it may slow down intestinal motility. The researchers identified that methane affects specific ion channels and signalling pathways involved in muscle contraction. These findings support the idea that methane production in the gut can contribute to symptoms like constipation by reducing intestinal motility.

The Role of Bile Acids in the Human Body and in the Development of Diseases
This article reviews how bile acids, which are compounds produced by the liver to help digest fats, do much more than just break down food—they act as powerful signaling molecules that influence metabolism, the immune system, gut bacteria, and even gene expression. Abnormal bile acid levels or activity have been linked to conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, cholestatic liver disease, and colorectal cancer.

Induction of endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha: suppression of centrally stimulated gastric motility
This study found that a chemical made by the body during inflammation, called TNF-alpha, can slow down how the stomach moves food. It does this by affecting signals from the brain to the stomach through the vagus nerve. This may explain why people often have slower digestion or feel sick to their stomach during infections or serious illness.

Pimentel Lab
Dr. Mark Pimentel is a leading gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai whose research focuses on gut motility disorders, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). His team developed the first blood test to diagnose IBS, showing it’s a physical condition, not just psychological. They study the gut microbiome’s role in diseases like obesity and diabetes, aiming to create new diagnostics and treatments for microbiome-related disorders.