The Effect of Corticotrophin-releasing Hormone (CRH) on Esophageal Motility in Healthy Volunteers
Condition: Esophageal Motility Disorders
MeSH terms: Esophageal Motility Disorders; Esophageal Spasm, Diffuse
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 4

Summary: 
      Stress is well known to affect visceral sensitivity and gastrointestinal function in general.
      A majority of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) report stress as an
      important factor triggering symptom exacerbation. A real-life stressor could exacerbate
      heartburn symptoms in GERD patients by enhancing perceptual response to esophageal acid
      exposure. In Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients, visceral hypersensitivity is a major
      pathophysiological mechanism and stress is shown to trigger or exacerbate symptoms.

      A possible mechanism of stress-induced visceral sensitivity could be the barrier dysfunction.
      Indeed, in a study performed by our group, in human, an acute psychological stressor induces
      hyperpermeability in a mast cell dependent fashion and exogenous peripheral
      corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) recapitulated its effects on barrier function. This
      increase in intestinal permeability is a phenomenon which appears as a prerequisite for
      visceral hypersensitivity. Furthermore, few studies indicate that human intestinal motility
      is probably modulated by CRH. It has been shown that the brain-gut axis in IBS patients has
      an exaggerated response to CRH.To our knowledge, the acute effect of exogenous CRH on
      esophageal motility has not been studied before.
    

Detailed description: 
      1. INTRODUCTION Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), defined as the presence of
           symptoms or lesions that can be attributed to the reflux of gastric contents into the
           esophagus, is an increasingly prevalent condition in Western societies. The most typical
           symptoms are heartburn and regurgitation, but GERD can manifest itself through a variety
           of esophageal and extra-esophageal symptoms (e.g. chronic cough).

           In humans, pain is a multimodal experience composted of sensory, physiological and
           psychological aspects. In order to mimic the clinical situation, experimental models
           should be based on testing regimens in which different receptors and central nervous
           system mechanisms are activated.

           Advances in esophageal sensory stimulation have established that both typical and
           atypical symptoms may not only arise from acid reflux, but also from reflux events with
           less acidic pH (pH 4-7). In GERD patients with symptoms that persist in spite of acid
           suppressive therapy, ongoing weakly-acidic and non-acid reflux is now well established
           as the main underlying factor.

           The basis for symptom generation during weakly-acidic reflux events remains to be
           determined, but acid sensitivity in the pH range 4-7, mechanical distention (enhanced by
           air in the refluxate), sensitivity to other chemical factors (e.g. bile) and esophageal
           hypersensitivity to physiological levels of reflux have all been proposed.

           The investigators speculate that visceral hypersensitivity plays an important role in
           symptom perception. This is suggested by the reflux parameters that are usual within the
           physiological number during proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Also, our group
           previously demonstrated that refractory GERD patients have increased visceral
           hypersensitivity for thermal, chemical and mechanical esophageal stimulation compared to
           healthy volunteers.

           Stress is well known to affect visceral sensitivity and gastrointestinal function in
           general. A majority of patients with GERD report stress as an important factor
           triggering symptom exacerbation. A real-life stressor could exacerbate heartburn
           symptoms in GERD patients by enhancing perceptual response to esophageal acid exposure.
           In Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients, visceral hypersensitivity is a major
           pathophysiological mechanism and stress is shown to trigger or exacerbate symptoms.

           A possible mechanism of stress-induced visceral sensitivity could be the barrier
           dysfunction. Indeed, in a study performed by our group, in human, an acute psychological
           stressor induces hyperpermeability in a mast cell dependent fashion and exogenous
           peripheral corticotrophin-releasing hormone recapitulated its effects on barrier
           function. This increase in intestinal permeability is a phenomenon which appears as a
           prerequisite for visceral hypersensitivity. Furthermore, few studies indicate that human
           intestinal motility is probably modulated by CRH. It has been shown that the brain-gut
           axis in IBS patients has an exaggerated response to CRH.To our knowledge, the acute
           effect of exogenous CRH on esophageal motility has not been studied before.

        2. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES CRH is considered to be a prominent mediator of stress
           responses in the brain-gut axis. In particular, stress-related activation of CRH
           receptors has been reported to produce alterations in gastrointestinal function. In a
           first study, the investigators studied the effect of CRH on esophageal sensitivity in
           healthy volunteers (HV). Preliminary results demonstrated that CRH-administration
           increased esophageal sensitivity (pain perception threshold) to mechanical stimulation
           of the esophagus. In the present study the investigators want to study whether exogenous
           CRH changes the response to mechanical stimulation through an effect on esophageal
           contractility. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of
           CRH-administration on esophageal motility during a standard high resolution manometry
           (HRM) in HV.

        3. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY This study will be performed in 15 HV, to have
           sufficient data to compare volunteers mutual and to be able to make conclusions. All
           participants will sign a copy of the informed consent, attached as appendix, before
           initiation of the study. Esophageal motility will be measured by a standard HRM before
           and after administration of CRH.

           Inclusion criteria include an age between 18 to 60 years old and no history of
           gastrointestinal symptoms or complaints.

           Exclusion criteria include history of allergic reaction to CRH, atopy (eczema, asthma,
           food allergies, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis) or multiple allergies to several drugs,
           pregnancy or lactation, concomitant administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors
           (MAOI), verapamil or diltiazem or medication affecting esophageal motility, significant
           co-morbidities (neuromuscular, psychiatric, cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine,
           autoimmune, renal and hepatic), prior history of esophageal, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)
           or gastric surgery or endoscopic anti-reflux procedure, history of gastrointestinal
           disease and first degree relatives with Crohn's disease or celiac disease. During the
           last two weeks before the study, HV should be free from medication, except for oral
           contraceptives.

           Each subject that is willing to participate in this study will be submitted to a
           physical examination. Medical history will be taken and the use of medication will be
           inquired.

        4. MATERIALS AND METHODS High Resolution Manometry Esophageal body pressure, peristalsis
           and pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the upper part of the stomach
           will be measured using HRM, as it is routinely performed in the university hospital of
           Gasthuisberg in patients with symptoms of dysphagia. HRM consists of measuring multiple
           pressures simultaneously and this allows detailed assessment of all relevant data for
           the entire esophagus.

      CRH administration The effect of CRH-administration on esophageal motility will be studied.
      After positioning of the HRM probe the investigators will first study esophageal motility at
      baseline conditions. After the baseline procedure, 100µg CRH powder for injection (CRH
      ferring®, Ferring, Aalst, Belgium) will be dissolved in 1 mL of sodium chloride (NaCl) 0.9%,
      the solution will be injected intravenously over the course of 1 minute. With this dose, the
      side-effects are limited to transient facial flushing that lasts from 5 to 45 minutes in 75%
      of patients. CRH is clinically used as a diagnostic tool in locating the source of
      hypercortisolism in Cushing's disease. After 20 minutes, esophageal peristalsis will be
      studied again.

      Saliva Samples Salivary samples will be obtained during the HRM procedure and will be used to
      determine salivary cortisol at baseline conditions, immediately before the
      CRH-administration, 30 minutes and 60 minutes after administration. Salivary cortisol will be
      determined by ELISA (DRG Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany) according to the manufacturer's
      instructions.

      Assessment of emotional state An assessment of general mood will be performed by the Profile
      of Mood Schedule (POMS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI state) questionnaires
      before and after the esophageal manometry. The POMS consists of 32 pairs of words that
      describe different feelings and emotions at the present moment. The STAI state is validated,
      and widely used questionnaire measuring transitory anxiety states. The scale consists of 20
      items, which are answered on a 4-point scale. Scores are expressed as total sum scores.

      PROTOCOL After an overnight fast volunteers will come to the endoscopy unit of the UZ
      Gasthuisberg, where the study will be performed. At the beginning of the study, the
      solid-state manometric catheter consisting of 36 manometry channels at 1cm intervals and 16
      impedance channels (Medical Measurement Systems, Enschede, The Netherlands) will be placed
      transnasally under topical anesthesia and will be positioned along the esophagus. Manometry
      will measure pressure in the esophageal body, and the LES and the upper part of the stomach.
      The impedance channels are used to measure bolus movement. After the catheter is positioned
      in the esophagus the volunteer will remain in a bed, in semi-recumbent position for the
      entire study period. HRM and impedance will be recorded for approximately 2 hours.

      Primarily, baseline recordings will be obtained. Test boluses of 5 mL liquid, 5 mL semisolid,
      and 2 cm2 solid will be administered orally. During every swallow, volunteers will be asked
      to complete a 5-point scale to monitor sensation of bolus hold up with 1 = normal passage, 2
      = slow passage, 3 = step-by-step passage, 4 = partial blockage, and 5 = complete blockage.
      After the manometry at baseline conditions, CRH will be administered IV and a waiting period
      of 20 minutes will be taken into account since previous protocols with CRH administration
      showed that 20 to 30 minutes after CRH injection, salivary cortisol levels are the highest.
      After the waiting period we will repeat the same procedure used under baseline conditions.
    

Intervention name(s): CRH
Intervention type(s): Drug
Intervention description(s): CRH injection: 100 µg CRH powder for injection (CRH Ferring) dissolved in 1ml NaCl 0.9%, administration intravenously over the course of 1 minute to avoid side effects.
Other intervention name(s): CRH, Ferring
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)