Esomeprazole induces upper gastrointestinal tract transmucosal permeability increase.
BACKGROUND
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most widely used drug classes in the US and are now frontline medications for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dyspepsia. In a previous work, we observed that a transmucosal, upper gastrointestinal (GI) leak exists in Barrett's oesophagus (BO) patients. PPI medications are commonly used by Barrett's patients.


OBJECTIVE
To examine if the PPI, esomeprazole, affects the barrier function of the upper GI tract.


METHODS
The sucrose permeability test (SPT) was used to assess the possible effect of the PPI, esomeprazole, on upper GI leak in 37 first-time-presenting GERD patients and 25 healthy controls.


RESULTS
Esomeprazole induced a significant transmucosal leak in the upper GI tract of patients taking the drug for the first time. The leak occurred quickly, within days of first taking the drug. The leak was also reversed within days of stopping the medication.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first patient-based study showing that a PPI compromises upper GI barrier function. There are potential implications for transmucosal leak of other medications that a patient on a PPI may be taking, as well as possible leak of endogenous peptides/proteins. The clinical consequences of this phenomenon are currently unknown, but are potentially important.
Mullin
J M
JM
The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA. mulllinj@mlhs.org
Valenzano
M C
MC
Whitby
M
M
Lurie
D
D
Schmidt
J D
JD
Jain
V
V
Tully
O
O
Kearney
K
K
Lazowick
D
D
Mercogliano
G
G
Thornton
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D064098:Esomeprazole / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013395:Sucrose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000652:urine; D055815:Young Adult
D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D013395:Sucrose; D064098:Esomeprazole