Lubiprostone, Colonic Motility and Sensation

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy subjects
• Body mass index (BMI): 18 to 32.
• Negative pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential.
• Absence of gastrointestinal symptoms (abridged Bowel Disease Questionnaire).
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with body mass index (BMI) of less than 18 or more than 32.
• Structural or metabolic diseases/conditions that affect the gastrointestinal (GI)system, or functional gastrointestinal disorders. For screening, the Bowel Disease Questionnaire will be used to exclude subjects with irritable bowel syndrome.
• Use of drugs or agents within the past 2 weeks that alter GI transit including laxatives, magnesium or aluminum-containing antacids, prokinetics, erythromycin, narcotics, anticholinergics, tricyclic antidepressants, SSRI and newer antidepressants.

NOTE: Low stable doses of thyroid replacement, estrogen replacement, low dose aspirin for cardioprotection, and birth control pills or depot injections are permissible.

• Use of drugs or agents within the 2 weeks prior to screening that may add drowsiness and central nervous system (CNS) depression such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ethanol, lithium, opioids, buspirone, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, other CNS depressants.
• Female subjects who are pregnant or breast feeding.
• Females must be either surgically sterilized, postmenopausal (>12 months since last menses) or, if of childbearing potential, using reliable methods of contraception as determined by the physician (single-barrier methods alone and rhythm methods are not acceptable).
• Clinical evidence (including physical exam and ECG) of significant cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, hematological, neurological, psychiatric, or other disease that interfere with the objectives of the study. Any candidate participants with such disorder mentioned will be referred to their general physician.
• The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) will be used to exclude subjects with significant affective disorders, as well as to determine anxiety and depression scores at the start of the study. Any candidate participants with such disorder mentioned will be referred to their general physician.
• Symptoms of a significant clinical illness in the two weeks prior to screening.
• Participation in another clinical study within the 30 days prior to screening.
• Subjects who are considered by the investigator to be alcoholics not in remission or known substance abusers.