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Therapeutic Applications of Ghrelin Agonists in the Treatment of Gastroparesis

  • Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract (S Rao, Section Editor)
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Abstract

There remains an unmet need for effective pharmacologic treatments for gastroparesis. Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and has been shown to regulate energy homeostasis and exert prokinetic effects on gastrointestinal motility. In recent years, several ghrelin receptor agonists have been studied in clinical trials of patients with diabetic gastroparesis. The intravenous macrocyclic peptidomimetic, TZP-101, initially suggested improvement in gastroparesis symptoms with intravenous administration when compared to placebo. However, in subsequent studies of oral preparations, TZP-102 failed to confirm these results. Another ghrelin receptor agonist, RM-131, was recently shown to significantly accelerate gastric emptying (GE) in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and delayed GE. RM-131 reduced total Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index-Daily Diary (GCSI-DD) and composite scores among type 1 diabetics. Continued development of ghrelin agonists should be explored in attempts to expand therapeutic options for the treatment of gastroparesis.

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Conflict of Interest

Andrea Shin has participated in past clinical research trials supported by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.

John M. Wo has performed clinical research trial supported by Tranzyme, Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, and Theravance.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

Andrea Shin has been involved in two clinical trials involving human subjects (see references [80•, 81•]). Both trials were performed with approval by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board after signed written informed consent and confirmation of patient study eligibility.

John M. Wo has been involved in clinical trials involving human subjects (see references [78, 79, 80•, 81•]). Trials were performed with approval by the University of Louisville Institutional Review Board after signed written informed consent and confirmation of patient study eligibility.

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  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Hospital, Rm 1634, Indiana University School of Medicine, 550 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Andrea Shin & John M. Wo

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  1. Andrea Shin
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  2. John M. Wo
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Correspondence to John M. Wo.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract

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Shin, A., Wo, J.M. Therapeutic Applications of Ghrelin Agonists in the Treatment of Gastroparesis. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 17, 8 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-015-0430-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-015-0430-8

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