Effects of a 5-HT(4) receptor agonist on oesophageal function and gastro-oesophageal reflux: studies using combined impedance-manometry and combined impedance-pH.
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.
Tutuian
R
R
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. tutuianr@musc.edu
Mainie
I
I
Allan
R
R
Hargreaves
K
K
Agrawal
A
A
Freeman
J
J
Gale
J
J
Castell
D O
DO
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*
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007211:Indoles; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C105050:tegaserod