Effect of Vibrant Capsule on Gastric Emptying and Antropyloroduodenal Motility in Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers participants were randomized to one of 4 treatment groups: sham VIBRANT or vibrating VIBRANT capsule at rates of 1, 3 or 5 per minute. The studies were conducted in one day.

Following an overnight fast, participants underwent introduction of the multilumen manometric catheter into the proximal small intestine with sensors across the antroduodenal junction. A 4-meter Teflon® (green) guidewire and manometry tube were placed transnasally and advanced into the duodenum with the distal end of the manometry tube within the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum.

Following placement of the manometry tube a 30 minute baseline motility assessment was performed followed by the first of two VIBRANT OR SHAM VIBRANT CAPSULES administered as randomly assigned. Motility assessment performed for an additional 25-30 minutes before the digestion of the standardized breakfast test meal. A single spot image will be obtained to document the location of the capsule prior to the meal.

Approximately thirty minutes following ingestion of the capsule, participants ingested a standardized breakfast meal (320kcal egg, toast, milk) containing 99mTc. Anterior and posterior gamma camera images obtained immediately following ingestion of the meal and every 15 minutes until 240 minutes. In addition, every 30 minutes one hundred millimeter Visual analog scales (VAS) recorded to assess levels of nausea, fullness, gas, and abdominal pain.

Participants were seated in a semi-recumbent position (~45 degrees) for recording motility and obtaining anterior scintigraphy images simultaneously. Following the 90-minute scan, the participants ingested a second active VIBRANT or sham capsule. Subsequent scans continued at scheduled intervals until 240 minutes after the test meal ingestion to complete the assessment of gastric emptying.

Inclusion criteria

• Able to provide written informed consent prior to any study procedures, and be willing and able to comply with study procedures
• No medical problems or chronic diseases, specifically, no type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Body mass index of 18-35 kg/m2
• Female subjects must have negative urine pregnancy tests and must not be lactating prior to receiving study medication and radiation exposure. For females able to bear children, a hormonal (i.e., oral, implantable, or injectable) and single-barrier method, or a double-barrier method of birth control must be used throughout the study. Female subjects unable to bear children must have this documented in the medical record [i.e., tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or post-menopausal (defined as a minimum of one year since the last menstrual period)].

Exclusion criteria

• Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent or to comply with study procedures
• Diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases
• Structural or metabolic diseases that affect the gastrointestinal system
• Unable to avoid the following over-the-counter medications 48 hours prior to the baseline period and throughout the study:

• Medications that alter gastrointestinal transit including laxatives, magnesium and aluminum containing antacids, prokinetics, erythromycin
• Analgesic drugs including Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and COX-2 inhibitors NOTE: stable doses of thyroid replacement, estrogen replacement, low-dose aspirin for cardioprotection, and birth control (but with adequate backup contraception as drug-interactions with birth control have not been conducted) are permissible.
• History of recent surgery (within 60 days of screening)
• Acute or chronic illness or history of illness which, in the opinion of the investigator, could pose a threat or harm to the subject or obscure interpretation of laboratory test results or interpretation of study data, such as frequent angina, Class III or IV congestive heart failure, moderate impairment of renal or hepatic function, poorly controlled diabetes, etc.
• Any clinically significant abnormalities on physical examination or laboratory abnormalities identified in the medical record, as determined by the investigator
• Acute gastrointestinal illness within 48 hours of initiation of the baseline period
• Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• History of excessive alcohol use or substance abuse
• Participation in an investigational study within the 30 days prior to dosing in the present study
• Any other reason, which in the opinion of the investigator, would confound proper interpretation of the study