Aim 1 - Determine the pharmacokinetics of PMO (menthol) of three different doses in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) (n=30). Aim 2 - Determine pharmacodynamic effect of three different doses of PMO on gut microbiome composition and contractile activity/gut transit rate.
Children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) ages 7-12 years (n=30) will be recruited. The study participants will be admitted to the Children's Nutrition Research Center. A medical history and a general physical examination performed by the investigator or the research nurse. The height, weight, and vital signs (pulse rate, respiratory rate, and seated blood pressure) will be obtained. After application of a topical anesthetic to the site chosen for study-related blood sampling, a cannula will be inserted e to obtain repeated blood samples. At approximately 0900, subjects will receive one of three doses of PMO as a single oral dose. Immediately prior to administration of the PMO, a blood sample will be obtained to measure total menthol concentration and leukocytes for isolation of DNA for CYP2A6 and UGT2B7 genotyping. After PMO administration, repeated blood samples will be obtained over 24 hours. At 2 hours after PMO administration, participants will be given a standardized meal and will eat ad libitum thereafter. After completion of the final (24 hours) blood samples, vital signs will be reassessed and the venous cannula removed. Parents will receive a follow-up call from the research coordinator to access/evaluate if any adverse effects from dose or blood sampling received at the overnight study visit. Prior to and after administration of peppermint oil (PMO) for 1 week at the dose defined above, children will undergo measurement of gut microbiome composition and GI motility and transit time. At the time of the stool collection, the child will also keep a 3 day diet history.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Three doses of peppermint oil will be investigated: 180, 360, 540 mg; i.e. three arms.
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States
Pharmacokinetics
Area under the curve
Time frame: 24 hours
Contractility
Number and amplitude of gut contractions as measured by SmartPill
Time frame: Prior to and during peppermint oil treatment
Gut Microbiome Composition
Microbiome is defined for this study as a statistically significant change from baseline after treatment with PMO, correcting for multiple testing (q value). Such changes may occur with respect to gut microbiome diversity and/or composition (e.g., phylum, family, genera). We anticipate there will be an increased bacterial diversity, as well as increases in the abundance of organisms associated with a healthy microbiome, in response to PMO administration.
Time frame: Prior to and during peppermint oil treatment
Motility
Gut transit time as measured by SmartPill
Time frame: Prior to and during peppermint oil treatment
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