OROCECAL TRANSIT-TIME IN HUMANS ASSESSED BY SULFAPYRIDINE APPEARANCE IN SALIVA AFTER SULFASALAZINE INTAKE

Purpose: We propose a noninvasive method for the measurement of orocec al transit time assessed by the sulfapyridine appearance time in saliv a after ingestion of sulfasalazine. Method: In 12 healthy volunteers, we studied the correlation between plasma and saliva sulfapyridine app earance times and then the sulfapyridine appearance times in saliva un der various experimental conditions to assess the reproducibility, the effects of meals, the role of the formulation, and the effects of gas trointestinal kinetic drugs. Results: The correlation between saliva a nd plasma sulfapyridine appearance times was strong (r = 0.84; p = 0.0 004). The sulfapyridine saliva appearance time was significantly delay ed by the meal. Compared with placebo, the saliva sulfapyridine appear ance time was reduced by cisapride (312 +/- 128 versus 551 +/- 97 minu tes; p = 0.0001) and increased by loperamide (674 +/- 267 versus 501 /- 131 minutes; p = 0.044). Conclusion: We propose the salivary sample method as a validated simplification of the plasma sulfasalazine-sulf apyridine test for the measurement of orocecal transit time.