Minimizing intestinal dysfunction

BACKGROUND OF THE SUBJECT DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Subject Disclosure

The present subject disclosure relates to intestinal dysfunction. In particular, the present subject disclosure relates to methods to minimize intestinal dysfunction.

2. Background of the Subject Disclosure

Ileus is a common side effect for patients undergoing many types of abdominal, or sometimes other types, of surgery. It can results in many days of intestinal dysfunction, which reflects itself in discomfort and pain for the patient.

Conventional treatments typically include: bowel rest, nasogastric decompression, and aggressive rehydration; placement of a film barrier (Seprafilm, Interceed, Hylagel R, Intergel, etc.), or a chemically modified natural sugar applied absorbable wrapping around organs; and application of a sprayable (SprayGel, Intergel Adhesion Prevention Solution) adhesion barrier.

These interventions are largely designed to prevent organ adhesion. As such, they also may serve to maintain intestinal motility but were not directly designed for this purpose.

Thus, there is a need for new methods for treatment of intestinal dysfunction which do not suffer from the same disadvantages of conventional methods or drugs. The methods should be simple to administer, effective and capable of aiding individuals in diminishing or preventing harmful effects of intestinal dysfunction without suffering from the same side effects.

SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT DISCLOSURE

The present subject disclosure provides techniques to reduce intestinal dysfunction including a lack of intestinal food transport by lack of peristalsis, after incidences of intestinal ischemia, intestinal resections and other surgical conditions associated with intestinal injury.

Abdominal surgery is associated with a significant risk for intestinal dysfunction, e.g., intestinal peristalsis, bowel movement, bowel obstruction, and cause of pain. Female abdominal surgery, spine surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment can also lead to ileus.

The methods of the subject disclosure can be applied to large and small incisions as well as any surgery or conditions that are associated with infections (appendicitis, etc.) and acute/chronic injury leading to the intestine. Ileus can occur in many surgical scenarios, some of which become symptomatic.

The treatment may be prophylactically administered into the abdominal cavity at the time of any surgical procedure or radiation procedures to prevent ileus. The treatment may be administered into the peritoneum and/or into the lumen of the intestine. The treatment serves to prevent scar tissue formation (fibrous webs and bands) and serves to preserve intestinal motility.

The methods according to the present subject disclosure are expected to work in situations in which an elevated mucosal permeability and inflammation are generated in the abdominal cavity (e.g., inflammatory lipids, digestive enzymes and other degrading enzymes like plasma proteases, MMPs, etc.), in appendicitis, Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases, intestinal or abdominal infections, in intestinal resections associated dysfunction of the intestinal permeability and motility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example view of an intestine not treated for adhesion (control group).

FIG. 2 shows an example view of an intestine treated for adhesion.

FIG. 3 shows an example view surgical protocol to determine the efficacy of the present treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT DISCLOSURE

Ileus formation after intestinal resections or abdominal surgery is a widespread problem in surgery, radiation treatment and other therapies. The present treatment serves to minimize post treatment complications, reduce mortality, post-treatment recovery and reduce hospital stays and drug treatment.

A basic premise behind the present subject disclosure is to prevent intestinal dysfunction after general, or specifically, abdominal, surgery which manifests in the form of lack of or deficient peristaltic transport along the intestine, reduced food consumption and indigestion.

The approach is to flush all parts of the abdominal cavity during surgery, radiation treatment, and other situations that may lead to acute ileus with a solution that minimizes or prevents enzymatic degradation on the intestine and tissue damage in the wall of the intestine. The digestive enzymes in the lumen of the intestine are blocked by direct administration of digestive enzyme inhibitors (e.g., proteases) into the lumen of the intestine. If indicated by the presence of a permeable intestine or by obvious signatures of intestinal damage (e.g., appendicitis) during ileus, the treatment includes also blockade of digestive enzymes and inflammatory markers in the peritoneum together with enteral treatment.

Possible agents to be used in the methods according to the present subject disclosure include, but are not limited to, individually or in combination (depending on circumstances): 1. Enzyme (serine protease, any plasma protease, MMP, amylase and lipase) inhibitor, e.g. Cyclokapron (10 to 50 mg/100 ml); 2. Antibacterial treatment against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (with antibiotic treatment, e.g. ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, imipenem and cilastatin, ticarcillin and clavulanate, cefuroxime, doxycycline); 3. Inflammatory lipid mediator (e.g. free fatty acids) binding protein: Albumin (10 to 50 mg/100 ml) and equivalent. The amount and concentrations to be administered are adjusted according to surgical site (as would be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art after consideration of the present disclosure), the peritoneal space to achieve complete blockade of digestive enzyme activity, binding of unbound free fatty acids, and bacterial cultures that can initiate cell damage to cell layers that coat organ surfaces (e.g., epithelial cells).

The present subject disclosure has been demonstrated in a rat model of intestinal resection and in a rat model of peritonitis (by administration of cecal material into the abdominal cavity) that blockade of the digestive enzymes in the lumen of the intestine and in the peritoneum leads to an increase of food consumption, transport along the intestine and fecal material formation without complications usually associated with ileus formation. This was achieved by treatment with a protease inhibitor in the lumen of the intestine and with a combination of protease inhibitor, antibiotic agents and free fatty acid scavenger.

The below four tables summarize the measurements of 1. Body Weight--initial weight (gm) [Table 1] 2. Food consumption (gm) [Table 2] 3. Water consumption (ml) [Table 3] 4. Fecal output (gm) [Table 4] in the experimental rats that were subjected to intestinal resection (.about.3 cm right above the cecum) and either untreated or treated with luminal protease inhibitor (cyclokapron, 25 mg/ml in GoLYTELY, 18 ml over the length of the intestine) and also peritoneal treatment with a combination of protease inhibitor (cyclokapron), antibiotic (ciproflozazin) and albumin. These results show a significant protection of the intestine by a method of treatment according to the present subject disclosure: it attenuates postoperative intestinal complications (ileus) in addition to other kinds of intestinal complications (including adhesions). Normal functions (weight gain, food and water consumption, and fecal output) are resumed significantly faster with use of the present treatment versus no treatment.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 BODY WEIGHT CHANGE FROM INITIAL WEIGHT Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Weight Without -13.6 -21.3 -25.3 -22.1 -18.6 -18.2 -16.4 Change Treatment 11.1 16.1 16.8 16.2 14.8 16.1 18.7 (grams) With 2.8 1.7 2.1 2.4 4.5 7.4 11.6 Treatment 7.6 9.6 10.1 10.2 9.7 9.9 10.8 ttest 0.0036 0.0035 0.0013 0.0025 0.0022 0.0017 0.0024 Values are listed as mean .+-. SD n = 9 without treatment n = 7 with treatment

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 FOOD CONSUMPTION Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Food Without 1.1 3.1 6.8 9.3 12.0 14.8 14.8 Consump. Treatment 1.6 1.7 3.7 4.9 6.0 7.3 5.0 (ml) With 8.7 9.0 12.0 18.6 22.5 24.4 29.7 Treatment 4.2 4.2 5.4 6.0 5.5 3.6 5.8 ttest 0.0024 0.0084 0.0517 0.0066 0.0029 0.0049 0.0002 Values are listed as mean .+-. SD n = 9 without treatment n = 7 with treatment

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 WATER CONSUMPTION Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Water Without 3.4 7.8 18.3 28.7 24.8 27.2 24.3 Consump. Treatment 4.6 5.2 6.1 12.9 12.3 11.1 8.7 (ml) With 18.0 20.0 33.8 41.0 44.1 44.4 46.6 Treatment 6.8 5.7 13.9 13.6 11.6 10.2 9.1 ttest 0.0006 0.0008 0.0262 0.0895 0.0064 0.0063 0.0003 Values are listed as mean .+-. SD n = 9 without treatment n = 7 with treatment

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 FECAL OUTPUT Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Post Op Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Fecal Without 0.4 1.5 3.0 5.1 4.6 4.6 5.4 Output Treatment 0.4 1.0 1.7 3.1 2.7 2.4 2.1 (grams) With 4.1 4.9 7.9 10.8 11.2 12.2 12.3 Treatment 2.9 3.0 3.5 4.0 3.7 3.5 3.1 ttest 0.0154 0.0244 0.0088 0.0089 0.0025 0.0005 0.0005 Values are listed as mean .+-. SD n = 9 without treatment n = 7 with treatment

Further results were obtained by continued experimentation, including (a) a summary of measurements of organ adhesion in the peritonitis model and using the cocktail as treatment; and (b) the results on organ adhesion (with a mechanical abrasion on the surface of the intestine to simulate the gloves of a surgeon) with an image of a typical ileus that develops in this model. The treated intestines look like a completely normal intestine.

In the organ adhesion study with peritonitis model, abdominal organ adhesion after acute peritonitis (by administration of 300 mg/kg cecal material into the peritoneal space) was determined after a period of approximately two months. In control rats without protease inhibition in the lumen of the intestine the frequency of organ adhesion among abdominal organs was 100%. (See FIG. 1.) The frequency of organ adhesion in the treated group was close to zero. (See FIG. 2.)

An example of organ adhesion after mechanical abrasion of the mesothelial cell surface layer with development of distended small intestine after a period two months. The surface of the intestine and cecum were mechanically damaged over a length of about 7 cm and developed an ileum with distended intestine at sites that are located upstream of the abrasion site. (See FIG. 3.) The actual adhesion site is not shown in the image since it is located below the intestine that is shown. Such an ileus was seen in 100% (8/8) untreated animals. Such development of adhesion with ileus was not observed in the treated animals (0/8).

Another study was conducted to determine whether the pancreatic digestive enzymes blockade in the peritoneum reduces postsurgical organ adhesion. The study indicated a number of findings: Treated animals recover from surgery/anesthesia (same dose) quicker than non-treated animals and do not lose as much weight after surgery when compared with non-treated animals. Treated animals return to initial weight after surgery faster than non-treated animals (7 day observation period).

Further, treated animals consume more food and water, and produce greater numbers of fecal pellets (both number and weight) than non-treated animals (7 day observation period). In terms of adhesion, the following were observed using this treatment: no adhesions of abdominal fat to mechanical trauma site was observed in treated animals; no adhesions of mechanical trauma site to abdominal wall in treated animals; no saponification nodes observed in treated animals. The force required to separate adhesion site in treated animals was less in treated animals when compared to non-treated animals. In three animals, the force required to separate adhesion site ranged from 40-70 grams whereas in non-treated animals the force required to separate adhesion site exceeded the limits of the force transducer (100 grams). The adhesion site in non-treated animals induced a narrowing of the intestine which in turn caused an obstruction of intestine. There was a heavy fibrous layer around the adhesion site. The adhesion site in non-treated animals caused the cecum and small intestine proximal to the cecum to form a ball-shaped appearance. Mechanical trauma was produced by 50 grams 40 wipes, cotton swab covered by surgical glove. Animals used were mature Wistar male rats, 350-400 grams. Observation period was 30-35 days. Anesthesia used was Sodium Nembutal, 50 mg/kg, I.P. Treatment was Cyklokapron loading of lumen in small intestine and cecum and a mixture of Cyklokapron and Ciprofloxacin in abdominal cavity.

Finally, a study was conducted to determine whether an enteral and peritoneal blockade of serine proteolytic enzymes accelerates post-surgical bowel function recovery. Mechanisms for post-surgical intestinal dysfunction resulting in a post operative ileus (POI) remain undefined. Delay in post-surgical bowel function may be in part due to an impeded repair process secondary to an accumulation and activity of serine proteolytic enzymes during alimentary tract surgery which occurs in both the intestinal lumen and peritoneal cavity. Enteral and peritoneal lavage with a serine protease inhibitor may improve recovery.

This experiment was conducted by following the procedure: one centimeter ileal resection six centimeters from the ileo-cecal valve and primary anastomosis was created in nine [five non-treated (Non-TR) and four treated (TR)] adult male Wistar rats. Animals were treated with a serine protease inhibitor via an intestinal intra-lumen (tranexamic acid in polyethylene glycol), and peritoneal (tranexamic acid, ciprofloxacin in saline) lavage and allowed to recover. Return time to oral intake, amount of water and food ingestion, and urine output were monitored daily. Results were expressed in mean.+-.standard deviation. A t-test with significance p<0.05 was used to compare groups.

The results indicated that treated animals returned to an earlier oral intake [POD 1 (TR) versus POD 2 (Non-TR)], and had an accumulated (POD 7) increase in water consumption [34.4.+-.13.8 gm (TR) versus 22.1.+-.13.3 gm (Non-TR)], food consumption [17.0.+-.8.8 gm (TR) versus 10.6.+-.7.2 gm (Non-TR)] and urine output [49.6.+-.21.2 gm (TR) versus 33.6.+-.20.4 gm (Non-TR)].

These results suggest that serine proteases in the intestinal lumen and peritoneal fluid may prolong POI and that blockade of these enzymes may accelerate alimentary tract recovery following abdominal surgery.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present subject disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the subject disclosure is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present subject disclosure, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present subject disclosure as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present subject disclosure should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present subject disclosure.