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Correlation of the Gastric Emptying of Nondisintegrating Tablets with Gastrointestinal Motility

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to correlate the gastric emptying (GE) of nondisintegrating tablets with changes in gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Eight, healthy, male subjects each received 5 × 7-mm radiolabeled tablets, a radiolabeled meal, and a radiotelemetry capsule (RTC). Transit of the radiolabeled formulations was followed by gamma scintigraphy and the RTC detected contractile activity in the GI tract. The study demonstrated that 7-mm tablets can empty from the fed stomach, prior to the onset of interdigestive activity. Those tablets that were not emptied during fed activity were retained through the period of quiescence associated with the onset of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) and left the stomach during contractions associated with phase 2 and 3 activity. The RTC was retained in the stomach and was emptied only by large phase 3 contractions commonly termed the “housekeeper” wave. However, in one subject, the RTC was retained in the stomach for over 12 hr, during which time three distinct phase 3 complexes were monitored.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Nottingham University, Nottingham, Notts, NG7 2RD, UK

    Alastair J. Coupe & Stanley S. Davis

  2. Pharmaceutical Profiles Ltd., 2 Faraday Building, Highfields Science Park, Nottingham, Notts, NG7 2QP, UK

    Stanley S. Davis & Ian R. Wilding

  3. GI Science Research Unit, The Royal London Hospital, 26 Ashfield Street, Whitechapel, London, El 2AJ, UK

    David F. Evans

Authors
  1. Alastair J. Coupe
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  2. Stanley S. Davis
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  3. David F. Evans
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  4. Ian R. Wilding
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Coupe, A.J., Davis, S.S., Evans, D.F. et al. Correlation of the Gastric Emptying of Nondisintegrating Tablets with Gastrointestinal Motility. Pharm Res 8, 1281–1285 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015855829864

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