Intervening Mechanisms of Amitriptyline Combined With Domperidone on Functional Dyspepsia Rats.

Abstract

Objectives: The long-term recurrent symptoms of functional dyspepsia (FD) and the prolonged course of the disease lead to varying degrees of psychological disorders in patients. The study focuses on investigating the effects of the psychological drug amitriptyline on FD rats, aiming to provide a basis for the mechanism of action in treating FD from a clinical psychological perspective.

Methods: A rat model of FD was used to assess gastric emptying, intestinal propulsion, visceral sensitivity, and behavioral states after treatment with amitriptyline, domperidone, or both drugs. The concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the expression of related signaling molecules were measured using ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. Gastrointestinal motility was also evaluated through muscle perfusion experiments, and the composition of gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results: Amitriptyline, either alone or combined with domperidone, improved FD rat behavioral scores, food intake, and mental status in FD rats. It increased 5-HT concentrations in plasma and gastrointestinal tissue, decreased visceral sensitivity, and altered the expressions of 5-HT2B receptor, phospholipase C-β₂, IP₃ receptor, and calcium-activated chloride channel anoctamin 1 (ANO1) in the gastrointestinal tissues. Although amitriptyline had no significant effect on in vivo gastric or intestinal transit rates, it significantly inhibited the contractile activity of isolated gastrointestinal muscle strips and exhibited anticholinergic effects. Additionally, amitriptyline either alone or combined with domperidone increased the relative abundance of Actinomycetota and specifically the Eggerthellales order in the gut microbiota.

Conclusions: The combination of amitriptyline and domperidone relieves anxiety and depression, improves gastrointestinal motility by targeting the 5-HT2BR, PLCβ₂, and IP₃R signaling pathways, and modulates the gut microbiota. This integrated approach alleviates FD symptoms through multiple mechanisms and pathways, presenting a promising therapeutic strategy.