title: The effects of itopride on oesophageal motility and lower oesophageal sphincter function in man.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Itopride is a new prokinetic agent that combines antidopaminergic and cholinesterase inhibitory actions. Previous studies suggested that itopride improves heartburn in functional dyspepsia, and decreases oesophageal acid exposure in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. It remains unclear whether this effect is due to effects of itopride on the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of itopride on fasting and postprandial LES function in healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve healthy volunteers (five men; 32.6 ± 2.0 years) underwent three oesophageal sleeve manometry studies after 3 days premedication with itopride 50 mg, itopride 100 mg or placebo t.d.s. Drug was administered after 30 min and a standardized meal was administered after 90 min, with measurements continuing to 120 min postprandially. Throughout the study, 10 wet swallows were administered at 30-min intervals, and gastrointestinal symptoms were scored on 100 mm visual analogue scales at 15-min intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower oesophageal sphincter resting pressures, swallow-induced relaxations and the amplitude or duration of peristaltic contractions were not altered by both doses of itopride, at all time points. Itopride pre-treatment inhibited the meal-induced rise of transient LES relaxations (TLESRs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Itopride inhibits TLESRs without significantly affecting oesophageal peristaltic function or LES pressure. These observations support further studies with itopride in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scarpellini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blondeau
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boecxstaens
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farré
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001549:Benzamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001593:Benzyl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D001593:Benzyl Compounds; C102254:itopride