Effect of Pregabalin on Colonic Sensorimotor Function in Healthy Adults.

The treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic abdominal pain is advancing with several effective options for symptoms related to bowel dysfunction and bloating/distension. However, there are no approved or effective centrally or peripherally acting visceral analgesics. Pregabalin has been proposed as a treatment for visceral pain, based on the pharmacological actions, and efficacy in neuropathic pain.

This was a trial of healthy adults to compare the effects of oral pregabalin, 75 mg and 200 mg versus placebo on sensation and contraction of the colon using validated methods.

All participants presented on the study day after an overnight bowel preparation with an oral colonic lavage solution and a 12-hour fast. Flexible colonoscopy to the splenic flexure was performed without sedation by one investigator. The barostat catheter (constructed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN) incorporating six manometric point sensors 5 cm apart was introduced into the colon over a guidewire, and the polyethylene balloon (10 cm long, cylindrical shape with a maximum volume of 600 ml) was placed in the mid-descending or junction of the sigmoid and descending colon. A rigid-piston barostat was used to measure intraballoon pressure and volume throughout the study. After an initial inflation to a volume of 75 ml to ensure unfolding of the balloon, the operating pressure was identified as the distension pressure at which respiratory excursions were recorded clearly from the barostat tracing, and the intraballoon pressure was set 2 mm Hg above the minimal distension pressure. A conditioning distention from 0 to 36 mm Hg in increments of 4 mm Hg every 15 seconds was performed over a period of 3 minutes.

After an equilibration period of 10 minutes, colonic compliance was assessed by the ascending methods of limit (ramp-like increases of 4 mm Hg at 30 section intervals). During the assessment of colonic compliance, participants reported their thresholds for first perception, gas and pain. After another 10 minute equilibration period, fasting colonic tone was measured at operating pressure for a period of 10 minutes.

Randomized-order phasic distentions were then applied at 16, 24, 30, and 36 mm Hg above the operating pressure to measure the sensations of gas and pain. Each distention lasted 1 minute and was followed by an equilibration period at the operating pressure for 2 minutes. A 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the rating of arousal and stress experienced by each participant before performing the phasic distentions. During the distentions, participants also used the 100-mm VAS to rate the intensity of gas and pain perception at 30 seconds from the start of the distention.