Provided is a dietary fiber characterized in that bitterness and unpleasant aftertaste are restrained. The dietary fiber has terminal sugars and is characterized in that the ratio of aldoses relative to the total of the terminal sugars is 10% or less. Such a dietary fiber may be, for example, indigestible dextrin, polydextrose or the like. The dietary fiber may be used as a food additive (for example, a beverage additive).

The invention provides novel 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane compounds of formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, A, and G are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate thereof, that are antagonists at the mu opioid receptor. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat conditions associated with mu opioid receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.

Presented herein are methods for preventing or treating tumor growth, tumor metastasis and/or abnormal proliferation of tumor cells in a subject, wherein the methods involve administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising methylnaltrexone. Also presented herein are methods for inhibiting or slowing the growth of a tumor in a subject, wherein the methods include selecting a subject who is a suitable candidate for treatment with methylnaltrexone, and administering a composition comprising methylnaltrexone to the subject.

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein include a suspension which comprises an admixture in solid form of a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent and at least one salt of a medium chain fatty acid and a hydrophobic medium, e.g. castor oil or glyceryl tricaprylate or a mixture thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions described herein contain medium chain fatty acid salts and are substantially free of alcohols. The pharmaceutical compositions may be encapsulated in a capsule. Methods of treating or preventing diseases by administering such compositions to affected subjects are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to compositions for rectal use comprising honey in a weight percentage up to 95% w/w and glycerine in a weight percentage of between 2-40% w/w for the treatment of constipation in a subject in need thereof. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising such a composition.

The present invention provides a physically and chemically stable pharmaceutical liquid composition including sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, citric acid and malic acid and methods of making and using such a composition.

The present invention provides compositions that include an extract of human feces, and methods for using such compositions, including methods for replacing or supplementing or modifying a subject's colon microbiota, and methods for treating a disease, pathological condition, and/or iatrogenic condition of the colon.

The invention covers a novel treatment strategy that considerably improves conventional probiotic treatments of inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders. Both probiotic microorganisms and the carrier of the probiotic microorganisms in form of a fermented cereal gruel are used as treatment effectors. Phospholipids may also be an effecter. The novel treatment strategy is capable of removing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases regardless of a mild, moderate or severe stage of the disease.

The invention relates to acetylcholine-producing microorganisms for use in the prevention and/or treatment of intestinal diseases, and/or reduction of risks of intestinal diseases, and/or improvement of intestinal health as well as promoting healthy gut flora. The acetylcholine-producing microorganisms may be provided as a pharmaceutical dosage form or as additive to functional food or food supplemental products. Also encompassed is a method for the production of acetylcholine by use of Lactobacilli. Further the invention refers to microbially produced acetylcholine for use in the treatment and/or prevention of intestinal diseases.

This application describes compounds and methods that can be used to treat, reverse, or avoid hyperalgesia.