Possible involvement of nitric oxide in the inhibition of gastric emptying induced by intracerebroventricular administration of clonidine in conscious rat

Introduction: Our previous findings showed that both clonidine and oxymetazoline inhibited gastric emptying given subcutaneously. The question was raised whether activation of central α2-adrenoceptors are involved also in gastric emptying in conscious rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were used. Gastric emptying was measured by phenol red method. Briefly, 1 hour after 1.5ml phenol red solution given orally animals were killed, their stomachs were removed and the amount of the color remained in the stomach were determined photometrically. Drugs were given subcutaneously (sc.), intravenously (iv.) and intracerebrove…