Effects of ABT-229, a motilin agonist, on acid reflux, oesophageal motility and gastric emptying in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of ABT-229, a new macrolide with no antibacterial activity, on gastro-oesophageal reflux, oesophageal motility and gastric emptying in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease was investigated.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients were treated with a placebo and ABT-229 (2.5, 5 or 10 mg b.d.) in a randomized, incomplete crossover study design. Ambulatory 24-h pH manometry was performed and gastric emptying was assessed by the 13C-octanoic acid breath test on the seventh day of treatment.


RESULTS
A significant decrease was found in the mean (+/- s.e.) percentage of reflux time (intra-oesophageal pH < 4) for ABT-229 5 mg b.d. and 10 mg b.d., but not for 2.5 mg b.d., compared with placebo. For ABT-229 5 mg, it was 8.5 +/- 0.5% vs. 10.7 +/- 0.7% (P < 0.038) and, for ABT-229 10 mg, it was 6.6 +/- 0.5% vs. 8.4 +/- 0.5% (P < 0.019). There were no significant differences in any of the analysed manometric parameters. In addition, the gastric half-emptying time for all doses of ABT-229 did not differ significantly from that after placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
ABT-229 is able to reduce slightly, but significantly, acid reflux in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This effect does not appear to be due to a measurable improvement in oesophageal motility or gastric emptying.
Gastrointestinal Unit. Inselspital, University Hospital of Berne, Switzerland. inauen@swissonline.ch
P
P
Netzer
B
B
Schmitt
W
W
Inauen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009037:Motilin / Q000819:agonists*
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D009037:Motilin; C114264:Alemcinal; D004917:Erythromycin