Echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging of Gaviscon alginate rafts in-vivo

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2002 Oct;54(10):1351-6. doi: 10.1211/002235702760345428.

Abstract

Liquid Gaviscon and Gaviscon Advance are established reflux suppressant formulations. This study describes the use of echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging (EPI) to visualise non-invasively intragastric alginate rafts of Liquid Gaviscon and Gaviscon Advance in healthy subjects. Secondly, the feasibility of using relaxation rate (T2(-1)) measurements to monitor changes in the physicochemical properties of the rafts in-vivo is evaluated. Six subjects ingested 500 mL of a liquid meal and received a single dose of 20 mL Liquid Gaviscon or 10 mL Gaviscon Advance on 2 separate visits each and were imaged every 15 min. An alginate raft was observed in the stomach for all subjects and both treatments. The raft was observed to consist of a few large fragments on the majority of the scans for both products. At t = 60 min a raft was still present in all cases. Three-dimensional volume reconstructions showed, for the first time, the spatial distribution of the rafts within the gastric lumen. The T2(-1) data showed potential for assessment of dynamic changes in the physicochemical properties of the alginate rafts in-vivo. We conclude that EPI shows great potential in assessing alginate rafts formation in-vivo.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alginates*
  • Aluminum Hydroxide*
  • Antacids*
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Contrast Media*
  • Drug Combinations*
  • Echo-Planar Imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Silicic Acid*
  • Sodium Bicarbonate*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Antacids
  • Contrast Media
  • Drug Combinations
  • Silicic Acid
  • Aluminum Hydroxide
  • alginate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate drug combination
  • Sodium Bicarbonate