Swallowable sensors reveal mysteries of human gut health

Findings from the first human trials of a breakthrough gas-sensing swallowable capsule could revolutionise the way that gut disorders and diseases are prevented and diagnosed.

A close up of the swallowable sensor. Photo: Peter Clarke/RMIT University

The trials by researchers at RMIT University have uncovered mechanisms in the human body that have never been seen before, including a potentially new immune system.

The new technology and discoveries offer a game-changer for the one-in-five people worldwide who will suffer from a gastrointestinal disorder in their lifetime. They could also lead to fewer invasive procedures like colonoscopies.

The ingestible capsule (the size of a vitamin pill) detects and measures gut gases – hydrogen, carbon dioxides and oxygen – in real time. This data can be sent to a mobile phone.

Professor Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, study lead and capsule co-inventor, said the trials showed that the human stomach uses an oxidiser to fight foreign bodies in the gut.

“We found that the stomach releases oxidising chemicals to break down and beat foreign compounds that are staying in the stomach for longer than usual,” Kalantar-zadeh said.

“This could represent a gastric protection system against foreign bodies. Such an immune mechanism has never been reported before.”

Another never before seen observation from the trial was that the colon may contain oxygen.

“Trials showed the presence of high concentrations of oxygen in the colon under an extremely high-fibre diet,” Kalantar-zadeh said. “This contradicts the old belief that the colon is always oxygen free.

“This new information could help us better understand how debilitating diseases like colon cancer occur.”

The trials were conducted on seven healthy individuals on low- and high-fibre diets. Results showed that the capsule accurately shows the onset of food fermentation, highlighting their potential to clinically monitor digestion and normal gut health.

The trials also demonstrated that the capsule could offer a much more effective way of measuring microbiome activities in the stomach, a critical way of determining gut health.

“Previously, we have had to rely on faecal samples or surgery to sample and analyse microbes in the gut,” Kalantar-zadeh said.

“But this meant measuring them when they are not a true reflection of the gut microbiota at that time. Our capsule will offer a non-invasive method to measure microbiome activity.”

This could represent a gastric protection system against foreign bodies. Such an immune mechanism has never been reported before.

Now that the capsule has successfully passed human trials, the research team is seeking to commercialise the technology.

Co-inventor Dr Kyle Berean said: “The trials show that the capsules are perfectly safe, with no retention.

“Our ingestible sensors offer a potential diagnostic tool for many disorders of the gut from food nutrient malabsorption to colon cancer. It is good news that a less invasive procedure will now be an option for so many people in the future.

“We have partnered with Planet Innovation to establish a company called Atmo Biosciences and bring the product to market.

“This will lead to Phase II human trials, and help raise the funds needed place this safe and revolutionary gut monitoring and diagnostic device into the hands of patients and medical professionals.”

The trials were conducted with colleagues from Monash University.

The findings are published in the inaugural volume of Nature Electronics: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41928-017-0004-x

The team behind the swallowable sensor (from left): Dr Kyle Berean, Professor Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh and Nam Ha.

Story: James Giggacher

09 January 2018

09 January 2018

Research
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Swallowable sensors reveal mysteries of human gut health