The Ghrelin Agonist RM-131 Accelerates Gastric Emptying of Solids and Reduces Symptoms in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND & AIMS: RM-131, a synthetic ghrelin agonist, greatly accelerates gastric emptying of solids in patients with type 2 diabetes and delayed gastric emptying (DGE). We investigated the safety and effects of a single dose of RM-131 on gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with type 1 diabetes and previously documented DGE. METHODS: In a double-blind cross-over study, 10 patients with type 1 diabetes (age, 45.7 +/- 4.4 y; body mass index, 24.1 +/- 1.1 kg/m(2)) and previously documented DGE were assigned in random order to receive a single dose of RM-131 (100 mu g, subcutaneously) or placebo. Thirty minutes later, they ate a radiolabeled solid-liquid meal containing EggBeaters (ConAgra Foods, Omaha, NE), and then underwent 4 hours of gastric emptying and 6 hours of colonic filling analyses by scintigraphy. Upper GI symptoms were assessed using a daily diary, gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (total GCSI-DD) and a combination of nausea, vomiting, fullness, and pain (NVFP) scores (each rated on a 0-5 scale). RESULTS: At screening, participants' mean level of hemoglobin A1c was 9.1% +/- 0.5%; their total GCSI-DD score was 1.66 +/- 0.38 (median, 1.71), and their total NVFP score was 1.73 +/- 0.39 (median, 1.9). The t(1/2) of solid gastric emptying was 84.9 +/- 31.6 minutes when subjects were given RM-131 and 118.7 +/- 26.7 when they were given a placebo. The median difference (Delta) was 33.9 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] -12, -49), or -54.7% (IQR, -21%,-110%). RM-131 decreased gastric retention of solids at 1 hour (P = .005) and 2 hours (P = .019). Numeric differences in t(1/2) for gastric emptying of liquids, solid gastric emptying lag time, and colonic filling at 6 hours were not significant. Total GCSI-DD scores were 0.79 on placebo (IQR, 0.75, 2.08) and 0.17 on RM-131 (IQR, 0.00, 0.67; P = .026); NVFP scores were lower on RM-131 (P = .041). There were no significant adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: RM-131 significantly accelerates gastric emptying of solids and reduces upper GI symptoms in patients with type 1 diabetes and documented DGE.