Gastrointestinal Peptides
6 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- AtilmotinAtilmotin is a synthetic motilin receptor agonist peptide developed as a prokinetic agent for gastroparesis and related gastric motility disorders. It was investigated as an alternative to erythromycin-based motilin agonists with potentially improved receptor selectivity and reduced tachyphylaxis.
- CeruletideCeruletide is a synthetic decapeptide that mimics the gastrointestinal hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). It is approved for parenteral use as an adjunct in radiographic examinations of the gallbladder and small intestine and has been investigated for therapeutic roles such as stimulating gut motility after surgery, relieving certain pain states, and treating movement disorders.
- MinigastrinMinigastrin is a short, 13‑amino‑acid fragment of the hormone gastrin that has been chemically linked to a chelator (usually DOTA) and labeled with radionuclides such as 111In, 68Ga or 99mTc. In research settings it is used as a molecular imaging probe to locate tumours that over‑express the cholecystokinin‑2 (CCK‑2, also called CCK‑B) receptor, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, small‑cell lung cancer, astrocytoma and certain gastrointestinal tumours.
- PentagastrinPentagastrin is a synthetic pentapeptide analogue of gastrin that has been used primarily as a diagnostic stimulus to provoke calcitonin release from thyroid C‑cells. The test helps identify medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and guide surgical decisions. It is administered by injection and is no longer marketed for clinical use.
- PlecanatidePlecanatide is an oral, prescription‑only peptide that activates the intestinal guanylate cyclase‑C (GC‑C) receptor. It is approved for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and is recommended, with moderate certainty, for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‑C). By stimulating fluid secretion and accelerating colonic transit, plecanatide helps restore regular bowel movements and alleviates constipation‑related symptoms.
- SincalideSincalide is a synthetic analogue of the C‑terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK‑8) that is administered intravenously to provoke gallbladder contraction. It is primarily employed as a pharmacologic cholecystagogue during hepatobiliary scintigraphy (cholescintigraphy) to assess gallbladder ejection fraction and to aid the diagnosis of conditions such as chronic acalculous gallbladder disease, acute cholecystitis, and biliary obstruction.