Recombinant human neurotrophic factors accelerate colonic transit and relieve constipation in humans

• Published in: Gastroenterology (New York, N.Y. 1943) Vol. 119; no. 1; p. 41
• Main Authors: Coulie, B, Szarka, L A, Camilleri, M, Burton, D D, McKinzie, S, Stambler, N, Cedarbaum, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2000
• Subjects: Adult; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - adverse effects; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - pharmacokinetics; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - therapeutic use; Colon - diagnostic imaging; Colon - metabolism; Constipation - drug therapy; Constipation - physiopathology; Defecation - drug effects; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Female; Gastrointestinal Transit - drug effects; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous - adverse effects; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Growth Factors - drug effects; Nerve Growth Factors - therapeutic use; Radionuclide Imaging; Recombinant Proteins - adverse effects; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacokinetics; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Reference Values
• ISSN: 0016-5085
• DOI: 10.1053/gast.2000.8553

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of recombinant human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (r-metHuBDNF) and recombinant human neurotrophic factor 3 (r-metHuNT-3) on gastrointestinal motor functions in healthy people and in patients with constipation. Gastrointestinal and colonic transit was measured by scintigraphy before and after 2 weeks of treatment. Daily diaries documented symptoms over 6 weeks before, during, and after treatment. In a randomized study of healthy subjects, 40 received 100 microg/kg r-metHuBDNF or placebo subcutaneously (SC) daily. In a separate study, 8 healthy subjects and 8 patients with constipation received 300 microg/kg r-metHuNT-3 SC thrice weekly. r-met-HuBDNF accelerated overall and proximal colonic emptying (P<0.05) in health. r-metHuNT-3 accelerated overall colonic transit in health and constipation (all P<0.05) and gastric and small bowel transit (both P<0.05) in health. r-metHuBDNF tended to increase stool frequency compared with placebo in health (P = 0.09). r-metHuNT-3 increased stool frequency (P = 0.05) and facilitated passage of stool (P < 0.01) in constipated patients. The effects on stool frequency started within 3 days of the beginning of neurotrophin administrations and lasted up to 5 days after treatment ended. r-metHu neurotrophic factors were well tolerated, although half of the participants in the 2 studies developed injection site reactions or paresthesiae. Exogenous neurotrophic factors stimulate human gut motility in health and constipation.