A New Series of Orally Bioavailable Chemokine Receptor 9 (CCR9) Antagonists; Possible Agents for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9), a cell surface chemokine receptor which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor, 7-trans-membrane superfamily, is expressed on lymphocytes in the circulation and is the key chemokine receptor that enables these cells to target the intestine. It has been proposed that CCR9 antagonism represents a means to prevent the aberrant immune response of inflammatory bowel disease in a localized and disease specific manner and one which is accessible to small molecule approaches. One possible reason why clinical studies with vercirnon, a prototype CCR9 antagonist, were not successful may be due to a relatively poor pharmacokinetic (PK) profile for the molecule.

Safety and efficacy of ulimorelin administered postoperatively to accelerate recovery of gastrointestinal motility following partial bowel resection: results of two randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials.

Background: Gastrointestinal recovery is a critical milestone after bowel resection with postoperative ileus resulting in increased risk of complications and prolonged hospitalization.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ulimorelin, a ghrelin receptor agonist given postoperatively in 2 identically designed phase 3 studies (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01285570 and NCT01296620).

Gaviscon® vs. omeprazole in symptomatic treatment of moderate gastroesophageal reflux. a direct comparative randomised trial.

Background: Medical management of GERD mainly uses proton pump inhibitors. Alginates also have proven efficacy. The aim of this trial was to compare short-term efficacy of an alginate (Gaviscon®, 4 × 10 mL/day) and omeprazole (20 mg/day) on GERD symptoms in general practice.