Assessment of whole gut and regional gastrointestinal transit times using a wireless motility capsule (SmartPill®) in healthy adults (637.14)

Abstract

Some probiotics are hypothesized to modulate gut health, including GI transit time. In this ongoing study we are evaluating the efficacy of the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12 (B. lactis) delivered in a yogurt smoothie or a supplement (tablet), on gut transit time (GTT), immune status, and metabolic parameters. Participants include 31 healthy adults aged 18‐40 yrs (BMI: 20‐35 kg/m2). Whole gut transit time (WGTT) at baseline was determined via two methods: blue dye diluted in 6 oz of water and the SmartPill®. Unlike blue dye assessment, regional transit times, such as gastric emptying time (GET), small bowel transit time (SBTT) and colonic transit time (CTT), can be measured by the SmartPill®. Participants’ perception of constipation was assessed by the ROME III questionnaire. WGTT measured by SmartPill® correlated with GTT measured by blue dye (ρ = 0.67, P < 0.001). SmartPill® WGTT was significantly correlated with GET and CTT (ρ = 0.396, P = 0.03 and ρ = 0.994, P < 0.001, respectively), but not with SBTT (ρ = 0.08, P = 0.675). Interestingly, WGTT was not correlated with participants perceived level of constipation (ρ = ‐0.218, P = 0.247). No significant relationships between GTT and metabolic parameters were found at baseline. SmartPill® technology enables assessment of regional and WGTT, which will permit evaluation of the effect of a B.lactis on both whole gut and regional GI transit times.Grant Funding Source: Dairy Research Institute