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Inflammation Does Not Decrease Intraluminal pH in Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Abstract

Intestinal inflammation may influenceintraluminal pH. Profiles of the gastrointestinal pHwere evaluated in 15 patients with active Crohn'sdisease of the ileocecal area. In addition, fivepatients with moderate (1) or severe (4) ulcerative colitiswere studied. Fifteen healthy subjects served ascontrols. Intraluminal pH of the different parts of thegastrointestinal tract was measured by a free-floating pH-sensitive telemetering capsule. A metalsphere was attached to the capsule for exactlocalization by a metal detector. Physiological patternsof pH were maintained throughout the gastrointestinaltract including the inflamed segments. Median pH inthe terminal ileum of the patients with Crohn's diseasewas 7.5 vs 7.7 and in the rectum in ulcerative colitis7.8 vs 7.2 in the controls. In conclusion, intraluminal pH is not decreased by inflammatory changes inCrohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, allowingeudragit-coated pH-controlled-release formulations ofmesalazine to dissolve in diseased areas also.

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Ewe, K., Schwartz, S., Petersen, S. et al. Inflammation Does Not Decrease Intraluminal pH in Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dig Dis Sci 44, 1434–1439 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026664105112

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026664105112

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