Atmo Biosciences’ world-first ingestible gas-sensing capsule is being used in a clinical trial led by renowned gastroenterologist Professor Magnus Simrén currently underway at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg.

The trial named “The effects of carbohydrates in irritable bowel syndrome” is using the Atmo Gas Capsule digital biomarker platform to profile gases within the gut to help understand the mechanisms and benefits of carbohydrates in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and the link to gut microbiota and function.

IBS affects hundreds of millions of people globally, and most people with IBS report that specific food items can trigger their symptoms. For the last decade, primary care physicians and gastroenterologists have increasingly recommended dietary treatments to their IBS patients.

Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches and fibres found in fruits, grains, vegetables and milk products. Carbohydrates are essential since they are the main source of energy for the body. However, some carbohydrates are thought to trigger symptoms in people with IBS. On the other hand, some carbohydrates are thought to be beneficial, especially for the gut-microbiota diversity.

In this study, trial participants will spend two weeks on a low carbohydrates diet, before receiving one out of two types of carbohydrates, in addition to the low carbohydrates diet for a further 10 days. The Atmo Gas Capsule will be administered before the low carbohydrates diet and after the reintroduction of the two types of carbohydrates. The capsule will continuously profile gases as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, transmitting the data to the cloud in real-time for aggregation and analysis.

Professor Simrén, who is also on the Board of the Rome Foundation, said it would be the first time an ingestible capsule that can sense intestinal gas will be used in a clinical trial in Europe.

“Analysing intestinal gases in the colon with Atmo’s gas-sensing capsule will lead to better understanding of microbiota alterations induced by carbohydrates and its effects on colonic function, and help reveal the beneficial mechanisms of carbohydrates in IBS,” Professor Simrén said.

“Under current treatment methods, IBS patients are often prescribed restrictive diets that limit intake of lots of common fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. A positive result in this trial could lead to a more personalized low-carbohydrates diet by preserving beneficial carbohydrates or to new therapeutic treatments for the benefit of IBS patients.”

Atmo Biosciences CEO Mal Hebblewhite said he was excited to have Atmo’s technology included in the University of Gothenburg trial.

“This is a win for Atmo, the University of Gothenburg and the millions of IBS sufferers around the world. Our technology unlocks new datasets that could lead to a better understanding of carbohydrates sensitivity and their impact on the microbiome in IBS. We’re delighted to be working with Professor Simrén and his team at the University of Gothenburg.”

Are you a person with IBS and do you live in the Gothenburg region, Sweden? Please send an email (marked with ‘Atmo study’) to magtarmlab.su@vgregion.se if you are interested in participating.