Compositions for use in the regulation of subnormal pH values in the intestinal tract and for treatment of bowel diseases

A composition for the treatment of bowel diseases by oral administration comprising a first physiologically acceptable coating which is insoluble in gastric juice of a pH below 4 and soluble in intestinal juice having a pH from 4 to 7, and a physiologically acceptable pH regulating alkaline material confined within said first coating, said pH regulating alkaline material being substantially insoluble, the nature and the amount of said coating and of said pH regulating alkaline material being adapted so as to ensure the availability of an amount of said pH regulating alkaline material in the lumen of a target part of the gastrointestinal tract from the proximal small intestine to the rectum, said target part exhibiting a pH below the pH normally found in said target part and to ensure a raise in the pH in said lumen to a pH which is close to the pH normally found in said target part, a second physiologically acceptable coating, and an ingredient confined within said second coating, said ingredient being therapeutically active against said bowel disease.

A composition for rectal or enteral administration comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier and a physiologically acceptable pH regulating alkaline material, said pH regulating alkaline material being substantially insoluble, the nature and the amount of said carrier and of said pH regulating alkaline material being adapted so as to ensure the availability of an amount of said pH regulating alkaline material in the lumen of a target part of the colon and/or the rectum, said target part exhibiting a pH below the pH normally found in said target part, and to ensure a raise in the pH in said lumen to a pH which is close to the pH normally found in said target part.

A method for the treatment of individuals exhibiting a subnormal pH in a target part of the proximal small intestine, the distal small intestine, the caecum, the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon and/or the rectum, which method comprises administering a substantially insoluble pH regulating alkaline material in a sufficient amount to ensure a raise in the pH in said target part to a pH close to the pH normally found in said target part.