Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms.

An evaluation of the antireflux properties of sodium alginate by means of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH-metry.

Zentilin P, Dulbecco P, Savarino E, Parodi A, Iiritano E, Bilardi C, Reglioni S, Vigneri S, Savarino V

Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche, Università di Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Alginate-based preparations act as mechanical antireflux barrier, which can reduce both acid and non-acid reflux events and limit the proximal migration of oesophageal refluxate. AIM: To evaluate all the above features with a novel technique, multichannel electrical impedance and pH-metry. METHODS: Ten reflux patients underwent stationary impedancemetry and pH-metry after eating a refluxogenic meal. They were studied 1 h in basal conditions and 1 h after taking 10 mL of Gaviscon Advance. In both sessions, measurements were obtained in right lateral and supine decubitus. RESULTS: Alginate preparation was able to decrease significantly (P < 0.05) the number of acid reflux events and the percentage time pH < 4.0 compared with baseline. There was no effect of the drug on non-acid refluxes. Gaviscon Advance was also significantly effective (P < 0.05) in reducing the height of proximal migration of reflux events compared with baseline in both decubitus positions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings explain how Gaviscon Advance controls acid reflux episodes, limits the proximal migration of refluxed material and thereby decreases symptoms in clinical practice.

Published 12 January 2005 in Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 21(1): 29-34.
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