A bilayered chenodeoxycholic acid system could relieve colon cramping and improve patient experience, according to a Dec. 8 release from Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Citing previous research on the effectiveness of chenodeoxycholic acid, researchers at the hospital created a bilayered capsule to deliver chenodeoxycholic acid to IBS-C patients. The gradual delivery of the acid helps minimize the potential side effects of chenodeoxycholic acid.
Researchers tested the pills in swine models. The initial release created a healthy local concentration of the acid. That creates enough colonic fluid to break into the second layer of chenodeoxycholic acid which is gradually delivered over time. Slowing the release of chenodeoxycholic acid reduces dosage spikes and decreases cramping.
Researchers will begin clinical trials over the next 18 months. Joshua Korzenik, MD, study co-author, said, "While further studies are necessary to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of these systems in humans, our findings suggest that controlled delivery of bile acids to the colon may represent a novel approach to treating gastrointestinal diseases such as constipation."