Polyethylene glycol as a non-absorbable prokinetic agent in the lower gastrointestinal tract.

In the rabbit isolated colon, intraluminal infusion of polyethylene glycol facilitates peristaltic activity. The primary target of polyethylene glycol appears to be the intrinsic sensory neurons, and not the excitatory motor neurons. It would appear that polyethylene glycol activates the excitatory pathways of the peristaltic reflex releasing tachykinins and acetylcholine at the level of the intrinsic sensory neurons.