title: Effects of a 5-HT(4) receptor agonist on oesophageal function and gastro-oesophageal reflux: studies using combined impedance-manometry and combined impedance-pH.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  5-HT(4) receptor agonists are used as promotility agents of the stomach, small and large intestine. There is limited information on the influence of 5-HT(4) receptor agonists on oesophageal function and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of tegaserod, a 5-HT(4) agonist on oesophageal function using impedance-manometry and postprandial reflux using impedance-pH monitoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled in a double-blind randomized three-period crossover placebo-controlled study. Impedance-manometry and impedance-pH monitoring after a refluxogenic meal were performed at baseline and after 2 days of dosing with tegaserod 6 mg b.d. or placebo. Multichannel intraluminal impedance-EM recorded pressure and bolus transit data during standardized swallows. Multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring recorded the number of 2-h postprandial acid and non-acid reflux episodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no significant difference in distal oesophageal amplitude when subjects received placebo (median 94.5; range: 53-243 mmHg) or tegaserod (93.6; 43-216 mmHg). Bolus transit time was similar during dosing with placebo (7.1; 5.3-9.4 s) and tegaserod (7.2; 5.9-11.1 s). We observed similar numbers of acid and non-acid reflux episodes during dosing with placebo (5; 0-15 and 3; 0-18, respectively) and tegaserod (2; 0-11 and 4; 0-19, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tegaserod, a 5-HT(4) receptor agonist does not change oesophageal motility and gastro-oesophageal reflux parameters in healthy volunteers.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. tutuianr@musc.edu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tutuian
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mainie
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hargreaves
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Castell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007211:Indoles; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C105050:tegaserod