Effect of a proton pump inhibitor on postprandial gastric volume, emptying and symptoms in healthy human subjects: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
In consensus guidelines, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are recommended for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. It is unclear whether PPIs change gastric volume or emptying.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of a PPI, rabeprazole, on gastric volume and emptying and postprandial symptoms.


METHODS
In a double-blind, parallel-group placebo-controlled trial, 13 healthy participants were randomized to rabeprazole, 20 mg b.d., or placebo. On day 3, fasting gastric volume was measured using intravenous (99m)Tc-pertechnate and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). After the last dose of study medication, an (111)In-chloride egg meal (300 kcal) was ingested, and postprandial gastric volume and emptying were measured by SPECT. Symptom ratings using a visual analogue scale (fullness, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, aggregate score) were obtained at baseline and 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 min postprandially. Group comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in gastric volume or emptying in the two groups. However, there was a borderline increase in gastric volume with rabeprazole compared with placebo. Rabeprazole treatment reduced aggregate postprandial symptoms, particularly fullness, 30 min after the meal (P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy participants, rabeprazole, 20 mg b.d., did not significantly change gastric emptying, but reduced symptoms and had a borderline effect on gastric volume postprandially. The mechanism of reduced postprandial symptoms with a PPI requires further study.
Grudell
A B M
AB
Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (CENTER), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Camilleri
M
M
Burton
D D
DD
Stephens
D A
DA
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000187:drug effects*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D064750:Rabeprazole; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects*
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D064750:Rabeprazole