Intolerance occurs frequently during EN in critically ill patients and is associated with poorer nutrition and clinical outcomes.

BackgroundThe promotility agents currently available to treat gastroparesis and feed intolerance in the critically ill are limited by adverse effects. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics of single doses of the novel gastric promotility agent motilin agonist camicinal (GSK962040) in critically ill feed-intolerant patients.MethodsA prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, study was performed in mechanically ventilated feed-intolerant patients [median age 55 (19–84), 73 % male, APACHE II score 18 (5–37) with a gastric residual volume ≥200 mL]. Gastric emptying and glucose absorption were measured both pre- and post-treatment after intragastric administration of 50 mg (n = 15) camicinal and placebo (n = 8) using the 13C-octanoic acid breath test (BTt1/2), acetaminophen concentrations, and 3-O-methyl glucose concentrations respectively.ResultsFollowing 50 mg enteral camicinal, there was a trend to accelerated gastric emptying [adjusted geometric means: pre-treatment BTt1/2 117 minutes vs. post- treatment 76 minutes; 95 % confidence intervals (CI; 0.39, 1.08) and increased glucose absorption (AUC240min pre-treatment: 28.63 mmol.min/L vs. post-treatment: 71.63 mmol.min/L; 95 % CI (1.68, 3.72)]. When two patients who did not have detectable plasma concentrations of camicinal were excluded from analysis, camicinal accelerated gastric emptying (adjusted geometric means: pre-treatment BTt1/2 121 minutes vs. post-treatment 65 minutes 95 % CI (0.32, 0.91) and increased glucose absorption (AUC240min pre-treatment: 33.04 mmol.min/L vs. post-treatment: 74.59 mmol.min/L; 95 % CI (1.478, 3.449). In those patients receiving placebo gastric emptying was similar pre- and post-treatment.ConclusionsWhen absorbed, a single enteral dose of camicinal (50 mg) accelerates gastric emptying and increases glucose absorption in feed-intolerant critically ill patients.Trial registrationThe study protocol was registered with the US NIH clinicaltrials.gov on 23 December 2009 (Identifier NCT01039805).

The incidence of feed intolerance was low in both groups. In this cohort the preemptive administration of enteral camicinal did not significantly augment the provision of goal EN.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEHere we have investigated the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of single doses of camicinal in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients with a history of slow gastric emptying with symptoms consistent with gastroparesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, incomplete block, three-period, two-centre crossover study, patients received oral administration of placebo and two of the three possible doses of camicinal (25, 50 or 125 mg). Gastric emptying ( 13 Coctanoic acid breath test), pharmacokinetics and safety were primary outcomes. KEY RESULTSNine of the 10 patients enrolled completed the study. Gastric half-emptying time decreased by À95 min (95% CI: À156.8, À34.2) after a single dose of camicinal 125 mg compared with placebo (52 vs. 147 min, P < 0.05), representing a 65% improvement. A decrease of the gastric half-emptying time compared with placebo (approximately 39 min) was observed with camicinal 25 and 50 mg, representing a 27% reduction for both doses (not statistically significant). A positive exposure-response relationship was demonstrated across all doses. The effects of camicinal on gastric half-emptying time were not influenced by fasting glucose levels. Single doses up to 125 mg were well tolerated. Camicinal was well absorbed, exhibiting linear and approximately doseproportional pharmacokinetic characteristics and a clear exposure-response relationship with gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSCamicinal significantly accelerated gastric emptying of solids in T1DM patients following administration of a single oral dose. Camicinal was well tolerated and exhibited similar pharmacokinetic characteristics in diabetic patients to those previously reported in healthy volunteers. AbbreviationsGLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1; HbA1c, haemoglobin A1c; T1DM, type 1 diabetes mellitus