title: An open-label trial of L-glucose as a colon-cleansing agent before colonoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high volume and poor palatability of standard colon cleansers remain obstacles to colonoscopy for many patients. Significant electrolyte disturbances and fluid balance alterations may occur with available agents. L-glucose, the stereoisomer of D-glucose, has laxative effects that make it potentially useful as a colon-cleansing agent. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of L-glucose as a bowel cleanser before colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty healthy individuals (age range 34-70 years) scheduled to undergo outpatient colonoscopy were given 24 g of L-glucose in 8 ounces of water to cleanse the colon. Nonblinded endoscopists rated the quality of the preparation based on established criteria. Laboratory studies were monitored before and after administration of the L-glucose and on the day after colonoscopy; adverse clinical events were also monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  L-glucose administration resulted in excellent or good preparations in 80% (24/30) of the patients and fair or poor preparations in 20%. Average water consumption was 48 ounces. No adverse event occurred, and no significant laboratory test abnormalities were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eighty percent of patients who prepared for colonoscopy by ingestion of L-glucose had good or excellent preparations. The L-glucose preparation was palatable, and its efficacy and safety appear equivalent to currently available colon-cleansing agents.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Penn State Clinical Trials Office, Hershey 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Geoffrey S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Raymer
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Werkman
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D005947:Glucose