Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Electronic Pill Shows Its Smarts by Measuring pH Levels in Digestive Tract

Electronic Pill Shows Its Smarts by Measuring pH Levels in Digestive Tract

June 04, 2009

An electronic diagnostic tool called the SmartPill is swallowed by patients in order to take measurements as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract. A new study by physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center used the device in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC), determining that they have significantly more acidic pH in their colons, compared with the average person - a finding that may impact treatment strategy.

The study was presented today at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting in Chicago, Ill.




"By using the SmartPill to measure the pH throughout the digestive tract, we were able to see how the pH levels can vary in patients with ulcerative colitis. This may help us understand why some drug treatments are more effective than others," says Dr. Brian Bosworth, lead investigator, assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, and a Crohn's and colitis specialist at the Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Mesalamines are the mainstay drug therapy for the induction and maintenance of remission in patients with mild to moderate UC. Their efficacy is dependent on how well the drug is delivered to the active site of the disease. Several mesalamines have a delivery system that is dependent upon a specific pH in order to release. However, since the pH levels in the GI tract can vary, the researchers say, this could impact the proper release and efficacy of the medication.

In the study, five patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) and five healthy control patients swallowed the SmartPill. While all study participants reached a pH of 7, the UC patients reached this level more slowly than those without UC. Furthermore, the amount of time the colon maintained a pH greater than 6 or greater than 7 was less in the UC patients. The majority of mesalamines dissolve at a pH greater than or equal to 7, however, there is a more recently approved medication that initiates release of mesalamine at pH greater than or equal to 6.

Administered in the physician's office, the SmartPill allows that patient to go about their normal routine during the course of the test. As the SmartPill Capsule passes through the GI tract, it transmits data - including pressure, pH and temperature - to a SmartPill Data Receiver worn by the patient. Once the single-use capsule has passed from the body, the patient returns the Data Receiver to the physician who then can download the collected data to a computer, where it can be analyzed.

The study's co-authors include Drs. Douglas M. Weine and Ellen J. Scherl of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and Michelle Cohen of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center



Related Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News Articles Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News RSS Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News RSS
Largest gene study of childhood IBD identifies 5 new genes
In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway that helps drive the painful inflammation of the digestive tract that characterizes the disease.

M. D. Anderson redefines screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers
Drawing on years of experience in cancer research and patient care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center released today the most comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines publicly available to date for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

Probiotic Found to Be Effective Treatment for Colitis In Mice
The probiotic, Bacillus polyfermenticus, can help mice recover from colitis, a new study has found.

Discovery of genetic defect may lead to better treatments for common gut diseases
New findings related to an uncommon genetic disorder may impact the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the most common chronic gastrointestinal illness in children and teens. Two million Americans have IBD which involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Oxidized form of a common vitamin may bring relief for ulcerative colitis
New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology finds retinoic acid may alleviate ulcerative colitis and similar irritable bowel diseases.

Promising new target emerges for autoimmune diseases
University of Michigan scientists say they have uncovered a fundamentally new mechanism that holds in check aggressive immune cells that can attack the body's own cells.

Subclinical markers predict relapse in juvenile idiopathic arthritis post methotrexate withdrawal
Elevated levels of the inflammatory biomarkers Myeloid Related Protein (MRP) 8/14 predict an increased risk of relapse following withdrawal of methotrexate (MTX) therapy in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who have achieved inactive disease status.

Enzyme involved in inflammatory bowel disease discovered at Penn State College of Medicine
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine, working with biochemists, geneticists and clinicians at the University of Bern, Switzerland and in the United Kingdom, have discovered an enzyme that has a key role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

UCLA cancer researchers first to link intestinal inflammation with systemic chromosome damage
UCLA scientists have linked for the first time intestinal inflammation with systemic chromosome damage in mice, a finding that may lead to the early identification and treatment of human inflammatory disorders.

Chronic diarrhea unresponsive to conventional medication: Are you taking lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which powerfully suppresses gastric acid production and is widely prescribed for chronic use in gastroesophageal reflux disease.
More Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News Articles
The First Year: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The)

The First Year: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The)
by Jill Sklar (Author), M.D. Manuel Sklar (Foreword)

This newly revised edition includes new research and insights to help everyone newly diagnosed with IBD come to terms with their condition and the accompanying lifestyle changes – along with other vital information about IBD.

What to Eat with IBD: A Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

What to Eat with IBD: A Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
by Tracie M Dalessandro MS RD CDN (Author)

From a patient who is also a dietitian...

Everything you need to know about nutrition and inflammatory bowel disease including healing foods, recipes, supplements and more.

At the age of nineteen, author Tracie Dalessandro was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and eventually Crohn's disease. After years of trying to heal, Dalessandro realized the power of using diet in conjunction with traditional medicine to control her inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rather than allowing it to control her. Nutrition became the link between feeling sick and feeling well.

What to Eat with IBD: A Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis is an invaluable resource containing the latest nutrition and diet information for those suffering from IBD....

Coping Successfully With Ulcerative Colitis (Overcoming Common Problems)

Coping Successfully With Ulcerative Colitis (Overcoming Common Problems)
by Peter Cartwright (Author)

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. The inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, causing diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis occurs most often in people ages 15 to 40, although children and older people sometimes develop the disease. Ulcerative colitis affects men and women equally and appears to run in some families. There are 90,000 sufferers in the UK and 400,000 in the United States. This book covers: Causes Diagnosis Treatments Surgery Living with an ileostomy or a pouch Living with ulcerative colitis, including emotional issues and effects on the family Diet Ulcerative Colitis...

100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide

100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide
by Andrew S., M.D. Warner (Author), Amy E., M.D. Barto (Author)

Whether you’re a newly diagnosed patient, or a friend or relative of someone suffering with Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, this book offers help. Completely revised and updated,100 Questions & Answers About Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide, Second Editionprovides authoritative, practical answers to common questions about this condition to help patients and families achieve a greater understanding of all aspects of dealing with Crohns Disease including treatment options, sources of support, and much more. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this disease.



Colitis & Me: A Story of Recovery

Colitis & Me: A Story of Recovery
by Raman Prasad (Author)

Narrative of an individual's successful recovery from inflammatory bowel disease.

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet
by Elaine Gloria Gottschall (Author)



Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Everything You Need to Know (Your Personal Health)

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Everything You Need to Know (Your Personal Health)
by Fred Saibil (Author)

Includes the most recent medical research.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes two chronic conditions known as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This has remained for too long the secret illness that no one wants to discuss. Although up to 1,000 per 100,000 North Americans have IBD, no one is completely sure what causes it, and there is no known cure.

Dr. Fred Saibil, a renowned expert on IBD, provides concise, up-to-date information on common conditions. He describes the normal gastrointestinal system, and then explains what goes wrong when someone has IBD.

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis also covers: - Signs and symptoms - How the gastrointestinal system works normally and how IBD affects it - Procedures and instruments used to diagnose IBD -...

Self Healing Colitis & Crohns

Self Healing Colitis & Crohns
by David Klein (Author)

This is a new paperback edition of the world's #1 self healing guide book for IBD and IBS health recovery. It explains that IBD is caused by toxic diets and lifestyle stress, and that the body requires a clean-digesting nutritious diet, rest and extra sleep in order to self-heal. This is not a plan for managing IBD and IBS, nor is this a quick-fix gimmick. Rather, this approach removes the causes of disease and promotes lasting health for everyone without medicine by supplying our biological health needs. It is based upon the venerable Natural Hygiene Self-healing System which has led million of people to lasting health. This powerful book covers diet, lifestyle and psychology, presenting the Vegan Diet Healing Plan with correct food combining. This is the only dietary approach which...

VSL #3 Capsules (60 caps)

VSL #3 Capsules (60 caps)
by Sigma Tau

VSL#3 Capsules for Ulcerative Colitis - 60 ea (Refrigerated Item= MUST be Shipped NEXT DAY AIR)

Colitiscope: Living With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Colitiscope: Living With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
by Andrew Tubesing (Author)

More of an adventure story than an encyclopedia, this resource for Crohn’s and colitis patients weaves humor with introspection and information with observation. Written by a sufferer of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the guide shares common tales and insights while also covering symptoms, medications, and procedures, from a uniquely entertaining viewpoint. Humor and frankness are used as a coping method, helping to illustrate and conquer common difficulties brought on by the chronic illness.



© 2009 BrightSurf.com