Effect of Atilmotin, a Motilin Receptor Agonist, on Esophageal, Lower Esophageal Sphincter, and Gastric Pressures

Motilin, an endogenous gastrointestinal (GI) hormone, increases upper gastrointestinal tract motility and is associated with phase III of the gastric migrating motor complex. The motilin receptor agonist, atilmotin, at doses of 6, 30 or 60 μg intravenously (IV), increases the early phase of gastric emptying. Prior studies at higher doses of 100–450 μg IV demonstrated that some subjects developed noncardiac chest pain.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of atilmotin on esophageal, lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and gastric contractility and the development of esophageal-related symptoms.

Ten healthy volunteers underwent esophageal manometry to study the effects of atilmotin on upper GI motility. Five subjects were studied on three separate days following administration of saline placebo and subsequent IV bolus dose of atilmotin (6, 30 or 150 μg). Another five subjects were studied at the highest dose (150 μg).

Atilmotin at 150 μg increased proximal gastric pressure by 6.5 mmHg (P = 0.001 compared with placebo). Atilmotin increased LES pressure at all studied doses; LES pressure increased from 24 ± 2 mmHg following placebo injection to 34 ± 4 mmHg following a 30 μg dose of atilmotin (P = 0.007). In the esophagus, atilmotin increased the percentage of failed swallows at the highest dose studied. Failed swallows increased from 17 ± 7% following placebo injection to 36 ± 7% following a 150 μg dose of atilmotin (P = 0.016). Atilmotin decreased distal esophageal contractile amplitude only at the highest dose studied, from 69 ± 8 mmHg (placebo) to 50 ± 5 mmHg following 150 μg atilmotin (P = 0.018). There were no serious adverse effects or episodes of chest pain with atilmotin.

Atilmotin affects esophageal, LES, and gastric motility. LES and gastric pressures were increased, whereas there was disruption of esophageal peristalsis characterized by lower amplitude and failed contractions.