Effects of a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, ranitidine, on experimental acute gastric and duodenal ulcers (author's transl)

Ranitidine at 100 to 200 mg/kg (i.d. or p.o.) potently inhibited the development of Shay ulcers, indomethacin- or phenylbutazone-induced gastric ulcers and histamine-carbachol-induced duodenal ulcers in rats. Ranitidine at 100 mg/kg (p.o.) also inhibited the development of water-immersion stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats, histamine-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers in guinea pigs, even though the inhibition rate remained within 70%. At that time, the gastric acid output in guinea pigs was reduced with some doses of the drug. Cimetidine at 100 to 200 mg/kg (p.o.) also inhibited the development of indomethacin-, phenylbutazone-, and water-immersion stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats and histamine-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers in guinea pigs. Shay ulcers and histamine-carbachol-induced duodenal ulcers in rats were not affected by cimetidine. Both ranitidine and cimetidine inhibited the gastric acid output in pylorus-ligated rats (7 hr); the maximal inhibition being 79.6% and 50.7% respectively. The mechanism by which ranitidine inhibits various experimental ulcers might be mainly the inhibition of gastric secretion. Gefarnate at 300 mg/kg (p.o.) significantly inhibited phenylbutazone-induced gastric ulcers in rats but had no effect on other ulcer models.     

Effects of MCI-727, a new antiulcer agent, on various gastric and duodenal lesions in experimental animals

Effects of a new antiulcer drug, MCI-727, on gastric and duodenal lesions, gastric secretion and gastric motility were studied in comparison with cimetidine and teprenone. MCI-727 dose-dependently (3-100 mg/kg, p.o. or i.d.) inhibited the development of acute gastric or duodenal lesions such as pyrolus ligation-, water-immersion stress-, indomethacin-, HCl-, HCl-ethanol-induced gastric lesions and cysteamine-induced duodenal lesions in rats and histamine-induced duodenal lesions in guinea pigs. These antiulcer effects exceeded those of cimetidine or teprenone. Repeated administration of MCI-727 (0.3-3 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 10 days) significantly promoted the spontaneous healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers. Concerning gastric acid secretion, MCI-727 selectively inhibited tetragastrin-stimulated acid secretion without effecting basal acid secretion and acid secretion by other stimuli. Cimetidine and teprenone inhibited acid secretion in several cases. MCI-727 and teprenone had inhibitory effects on gastric motility, although cimetidine had no effect. These results suggest that MCI-727 has a wide spectrum of antiulcer activity, and its mode of antiulcer action is different from that of cimetidine or teprenone.     

Healing-promoting action of rhinax with dual action on chronic gastric and duodenal ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats

Healing promoting actions of Rhinax, a multiconstituent herbal preparation, was investigated in chronic gastric and duodenal ulcer models induced by acetic acid in rats and the effects were compared with those of famotidine by gross of histological evaluation. Rhinax markedly promoted the well balanced healing of gastric ulcer at oral does of 25-100 mg/kg x 2 /day, as evidenced by the reduction of ulcer, regeneration of mucosa and proliferation of connecitve tissue. Rhinax caused an increase in gastric mucosa secretion in all the regenerated mucosa around the gastric ulcers. Famotidine failed to promote the healing of gastric ulcers at 100 mg/kg x 2/ day p.o. Rhinax also significantly accelerated the healing of acetic acid -induced duodenal ulcers as well famotidine. These results indicate that Rhinax is characterised by a potent promoting action on the healing of chronic ulcers, suggesting that the increase in gastric mucus secretion might be associated with the antiulcer action of Rhinax in rats.     

Effects of FRG-8813, a new-type histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcer in rats and spontaneously ulcerative mice]

We examined the anti-ulcer effects of FRG-8813, a new-type histamine H2-receptor antagonist, in chronic ulcer models of rats and mice (W/WV). FRG-8813, given orally twice a day for 7 days, accelerated the healing of gastric or duodenal ulcer induced by acetic acid injection or application at the non-antisecretory doses (0.3 approximately 3 mg/kg). Administration of FRG-8813 to rats with ulcers increased the amounts of mucus in the gastric mucosa. These actions of FRG-8813 were more potent than those of famotidine or cimetidine. In W/WV mice, several ulcers spontaneously developed on gastric mucosa during the 8 weeks after the birth. The ulcers were aggravated by several unknown factors after the ulcer generation in W/WV mice. The aggravation of ulcers was inhibited by the 4-week administration of FRG-8813 with diet at the dose of 1 or 10 mg/kg/day, but was not inhibited by cimetidine at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day. From these results, we suggest that FRG-8813 is able to accelerate the healing of ulcers by antisecretory plus increasing actions on the integrity of the gastric mucosal defense mechanisms; therefore FRG-8813 is expected to be a useful drug for the treatment of gastric or duodenal ulcers in humans.     

Effects of trimoprostil on healing and recurrence of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Chronic gastric ulcers were produced by injection of 20% acetic acid (0.05 ml) into the submucosal layer of the rat stomach in order to determine the effects of the prostanoid trimoprostil on the healing and recurrence of ulcers. Local injection of acetic acid solution produced large demarcated ulcers in all animals on day 5, which rapidly decreased to reach low levels on days 40-80 and then became exacerbated on day 100. The exacerbation of the ulcer is probably recurrence. Trimoprostil was administered ad libitum in drinking water containing 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 microgram/ml (average dose 12.4, 37 and 124 micrograms/kg/day) for a period of 14 days (day 1-15) to assess its effect on healing and for a period of 40 days (day 60-100) to assess its ability to prevent recurrence. The higher two doses of trimoprostil accelerated the spontaneous healing of the ulcers. Furthermore, trimoprostil, at both doses, prevented the observed recurrence of this type of ulcer. Trimoprostil dose-dependently (30-300 micrograms/kg, p.o.) inhibited gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. Cimetidine at the antisecretory dose (1 mg/ml, 132 mg/kg/day) failed to affect the healing process of gastric ulcers, but tended to prevent the recurrence of gastric ulcers. Our present study suggests that trimoprostil is a promising antiulcer drug for the treatment of chronic gastric ulcer.     

Effects of the novel anti-ulcer agent 1-(5'-oxohexyl)-3-methyl-7-propyl xanthine on experimental ulcers and gastric secretion in rats

The effects of 1-(5'-oxohexyl)-3-methyl-7-propyl xanthine (HWA 285) on various experimentally induced ulcers and gastric acid secretion were investigated in rats. HWA 285 (10-50 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited restraint and water-immersion-induced stress, ulcers, indometacin- and absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and mepirizole-induced duodenal ulcers in rats in a dose-dependent manner. HWA 285 (10-25 mg/kg i.d.) had inhibitory effects on acetylsalicylic acid-induced ulcers. The healing of acetic acid-induced chronic ulcers was significantly accelerated by HWA 285 (25 mg/kg p.o.) when it was given twice daily for 7 consecutive days. When given orally (twice a day, 11 doses in total) before the induction of gastric ulcers by stress, cimetidine at 100 mg/kg aggravated the ulcers, whereas, HWA 285 at 25 mg/kg had not such an effect. In conscious pylorus-ligated rats, HWA 285 (10-100 mg/kg i.p.) showed a dose-dependent inhibition on basal and desglugastrin- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-stimulated gastric acid secretion. In stomach-lumen perfused rats, HWA 285 (30 mg/kg i.v.) inhibited 2-DG-stimulated gastric acid secretion but not carbachol-stimulated gastric acid secretion. These results suggest that the anti-ulcer effects of HWA 285 are produced by cytoprotective and central anti-secretory activity without peripheral anti-cholinergic properties. Whether the central anti-secretory effects of HWA 285 play thereby the key role, have to be clarified in further investigation.     

Effects of KT1-32 on acute gastric lesions and duodenal ulcers induced in rats

We studied the effects of KT1-32 (sodium guaiazulene 3-sulfonate) on development of various acute gastric lesions and duodenal ulcers induced in rats. Male Donryu or Sprague-Dawley rats (220-270 g), fasted (but allowed free access to water) for 24 or 48 hr before the experiments, were used. KT1-32 (dissolved in distilled water, 10-100 mg/kg), given p.o. or intraduodenally (i.d.), dose-dependently inhibited the development of gastric lesions induced by HCl X ethanol (60% ethanol in 150 mM HCl), HCl X aspirin (aspirin 100 mg/kg in 150 mM HCl) or aspirin (150 mg/kg in pylorus-ligated preparation) and Shay ulcers (14 hr pylorus ligation). KT1-32 (30 and 100 mg/kg), given p.o. twice (9.5 hr apart), significantly inhibited the development of duodenal ulcers induced by mepirizole (200 mg/kg, s.c.), but did not inhibit gastric lesions developed simultaneously. KT1-32 (30 and 100 mg/kg), given p.o. or i.d., significantly reduced gastric acid secretion when examined using pylorus ligation preparations. KT1-32 (100 mg/kg, i.d.) had no effect on basal and suppressed duodenal HCO3- secretion by mepirizole. These results suggest that KT1-32 is a promising drug for the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcers.     

Effects of a proton pump inhibitor, AG-1749 (lansoprazole), on reflux esophagitis and experimental ulcers in rats

The effects of (+/-)-2-[[[3-methyl-4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy-2- pyridyl]methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (lansoprazole, AG-1749) and famotidine on various experimental ulcers in rats were compared. AG-1749 inhibited reflux esophagitis; gastric lesions induced by water-immersion stress, aspirin or ethanol; and duodenal ulcers induced by cysteamine or mepirizole in a dose-dependent manner: the ID50 values were 0.7, 2.4, 0.7, 8.5, 1.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, p.o. or i.d., respectively. Famotidine inhibited reflux esophagitis with an ID50 value of 12.9 mg/kg, but did not cause 50% inhibition of ethanol-induced gastric lesions even at 100 mg/kg, although it showed almost the same or a little stronger potency on other experimental ulcers: ID50 values were 0.3-1.4 mg/kg. Significant aggravation of ethanol- or water-immersion stress-induced lesions was observed in rats given famotidine at 30 mg/kg twice daily for 4 days, but not in rats given AG-1749 at 10 mg/kg twice daily. Administration of AG-1749 for 14 consecutive days markedly accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers, and the healing effect was significant at 10 and 30 mg/kg/day, p.o. Famotidine also accelerated the healing of ulcers, but its potency was less than that of AG-1749. The results of this study indicate that although AG-1749 is slightly less potent than famotidine in inhibiting acutely induced gastroduodenal lesions, this agent is superior to famotidine in promoting the healing of ulcers and in inhibiting reflux esophagitis and ethanol-induced gastric lesions.     

Effects of nizatidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on gastric acid secretion and various gastric and duodenal lesions in rats: comparison with cimetidine

We examined the antisecretory and antilesion activities of nizatidine in rats. Male SD or Donryu rats (200-260 g) were used under fasted or fed conditions. Nizatidine, given orally or parenterally (intraperitoneally, subcutaneously or intraduodenally) at 0.3-150 mg/kg, inhibited both basal (pylorus-ligation preparations) and histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion (acute fistula preparations) in a dose-dependent manner. The potency of nizatidine was 2 to 8 times greater than cimetidine when the ED50 values (mg/kg or mu mole/kg) of each agent were compared. The antisecretory activity of nizatidine, given orally, persisted for more than 3.5 hr, but disappeared 6 hr later. Nizatidine, given orally or subcutaneously at 0.3-150 mg/kg, prevented development of gastric lesions induced by water immersion, pylorus ligation (Shay), histamine, aspirin, or indomethacin in a dose-dependent manner. Duodenal ulcers induced by mepirizole were also markedly prevented with nizatidine. The potency of nizatidine on stress lesions or duodenal ulcers was about 20 or 14 times greater than that of cimetidine, respectively. Nizatidine, given orally 3 times a day for 4 weeks, significantly (P less than 0.05) accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers which were delayed by prolonged treatment with indomethacin. These results suggest that nizatidine is a useful drug for the treatment of peptic ulcers in man.     

Healing promoting effect of azuletil sodium (KT1-32) on experimental chronic gastric ulcers and acceleration of healing in SPF environment

We examined the healing promoting effects of azuletil sodium on acetic acid and clamping cortisone-induced gastric ulcer in rats. For the experiments on clamping-cortisone gastric ulcer, we used not only conventional rats in conventional conditions but also specific pathogen free (SPF) rats on SPF environment in order to prevent infection. The following results were obtained. 1) In acetic acid ulcer, azuletil sodium (AZE) (greater than or equal to 90 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly decreased ulcer index. As estimated on the basis of stage analysis (Ulcer, Healing, Scar), AZE (greater than or equal to 30 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly promoted the healing of ulcers. 2) In clamping cortisone ulcer (conventional), AZE (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly promoted the regeneration of blood vessels. 3) In clamping cortisone ulcer (SPF), AZE at greater than or equal to 30 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day significantly increased the healing index and mucosal regeneration index, respectively. 4) In clamping cortisone ulcer (SPF), the infection that was observed in the conventional test was not seen at all and the acceleration of healing was observed. Furthermore, the extent of adhesion was also reduced, and the standard errors of various healing indices were smaller. From these results, it is concluded that AZE accelerated the healing of experimentally-induced gastric ulcers in rats.     

脑室注射催产素对大鼠胃和十二指肠溃疡的作用

INTRODUCTION Central neurons that synthesize oxytocin are locatedin the supraoptic(SON) and paraventricular nuclei(PVN) of the hypothalamus. Magnocellular neurons inboth nuclei project to the posterior pituitary gland,     

Preventive and curative effects of curcumin on the development of gastric inflammatory diseases in rats

Preventive and curative effects of curcumin on experimental acute and chronic gastric ulcers were investigated to validate its clinical application on a remedy for peptic ulcer. Intraduodenal administration of curcumin, 5–20 mg/kg, inhibited gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats, and oral administration prevented ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions. Curcumin (20–80 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently prevented both serotonin-induced gastric mucosal lesions and compound 48/80-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. Furthermore, oral administration of curcumin, 10–80 mg/kg, twice daily for 10 days, significantly accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer and promoted mucosal regeneration in the ulcerated portion in a dose-related manner. Cimetidine prevented the formation of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions, but not of serotonin-induced and compound 48/80-induced gastric mucosal lesions. Consecutive administration of cimetidine showed a marked acceleration in the healing of acetic acid-induced ulcer. Aminoguanidine, an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, showed anti-ulcerogenic effects similar to those oberved for curcumin. The present results indicate that curcumin exhibits gastric cytoprotection in the acute lesion models and ulcer healing promotion in the chronic ulcer model. The preventive and curative effects of curcumin might be due to an increase in the mucosal defensive mechanism through its antioxidant property and inhibition of NO or cytokine-mediated inflammation.     

Effects of 15(R)-15-methyl prostaglandin E2 (arbaprostil) on gastric secretion and various gastric lesions induced in rats

We studied the effects of 15(R)-15-methyl prostaglandin E2 (arbaprostil) on gastric secretion and various acute and chronic gastric lesions produced in rats. Arbaprostil significantly inhibited gastric secretion in 4 hr-pylorus-ligated preparations when given intraduodenally in a dose of 30 or 100 micrograms/kg. The agent, however, significantly stimulated gastric secretion of rats with either a ligated or intact pylorus when given orally in doses of 3-100 micrograms/kg. Orally administered arbaprostil dose-dependently prevented the development of HCI-ethanol-, histamine-, water-immersion stress-, or indomethacin-induced gastric erosions. Intraduodenally administered arbaprostil also dose-dependently prevented the development of aspirin-induced gastric erosions in pylorus-ligated rats. Arbaprostil, given orally in doses of 1-100 micrograms/kg twice daily for 2 weeks, had little or no effect on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. However, oral administration of the agent in a dose of 3 or 10 micrograms/kg twice daily for 4 weeks significantly accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. The increase in doses up to 100 micrograms/kg twice daily for 4 weeks had no effect on ulcer healing. These results indicate that arbaprostil, at either antisecretory or even acid stimulating doses, is effective in preventing the development of acute gastric erosions and in accelerating the healing of chronic gastric ulcers.     

Antiulcer activity of cod liver oil in rats

Objective:

Cod liver oil is used widely as a dietary supplement. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of cod liver oil (0.5 g/kg, p.o. and 1 g/kg, p.o.) on gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Materials and Methods:

The study was carried out on different gastric ulcer models such as acetic acid induced chronic gastric ulcers, pylorus ligation, indomethacin induced ulcers, stress induced ulcers and ethanol induced ulcers. The duodenal ulcers were induced using cysteamine hydrochloride (HCl). Ranitidine (50 mg/kg p.o.) and misoprostol (100 µg/kg, p.o.) were used as standard drugs.

Results:

Both doses of cod liver oil showed gastric ulcer healing effect in acetic acid induced chronic gastric ulcers, produced gastric antisecretory effect in pylorus-ligated rats and also showed gastric cytoprotective effect in ethanol-induced and indomethacin-induced ulcer. Cod liver oil also produced a significant reduction in the development of stress induced gastric ulcers and cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer. The high dose of cod liver oil (1 g/kg, p.o.) was more effective compared to the low dose (0.5 g/kg, p.o.).

Conclusion:

Cod liver oil increases healing of gastric ulcers and prevents the development of experimentally induced gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats.     

Effect of dopamine on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats

Dopamine, as a neurotransmitter in the brain, is also present in the gastroduodenal mucosa and has been implicated in several functions in these tissues. Recent study showed that dopamine acts as a potent antitumor/angiogenic activity through suppression of growth factor expression. Since growth factors are known to play a crucial role in the mechanism of wound healing, it is possible that dopamine has a deleterious influence on the healing of gastric ulcers. In the present study, we examined the effect of dopamine on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Gastric ulcers were induced in male SD rats by serosal application of acetic acid for 60 sec. Dopamine was subcutaneously given twice daily for 7 days, starting 3 days after ulceration. In some case, the osmotic mini-pump filled with dopamine was implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous space in rats for 7 days. VEGF and Flk-1 mRNA expressions were determined by RT-PCR. Dopamine (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) given subcutaneously for 7 days did not significantly affect the healing of gastric ulcers. The expression of VEGF and Flk-1 mRNA in the ulcerated mucosa was up-regulated after ulceration, and these expressions were not affected by dopamine. Likewise, dopamine (0.6 mg/kg/hr) infused continuously using the osmotic mini-pump also had no effect on the healing of these ulcers. These results suggest that dopamine, although reportedly shows a potent antitumor/angiogenic activity, does not cause any influence on the healing of the pre-existing gastric ulcers in rats. Received 3 August 2006; accepted 10 November 2006     

Effects of 5-acetylspiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]-3-one, a new anti-ulcer agent, on experimental acute and chronic ulcers

The effects of 5-acetylspiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]-3-one (AG 629), a newly synthesized compound, on various experimentally induced ulcers were investigated. Oral or intraduodenal administration of AG 629 in a dose range of 25-100 mg/kg inhibited water-immersion stress ulcer, exertion ulcer, Shay ulcer, indometacin- and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced gastric ulcer, and indomethacin-induced small intestinal ulcer in rats, histamine-induced gastric ulcer in guinea pigs, and ASA-induced gastric ulcer in dogs, though it was not effective against cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer in rats. AG 629 in doses of 6.3-25 mg/kg p.o. twice a day significantly promoted the healing of acetic acid- or thermal-cortisone-induced gastric ulcers and acetic acid-induced duodenal ulcers in rats. AG 629 (25-100 mg/kg i.d.) inhibited the secretion of gastric acid and pepsin in pylorus-ligated rats and the acid secretion stimulated by distension of the rat stomach with air, whereas this compound did not affect acid secretion stimulated by histamine, pentagastrin, carbachol or 2-deoxy-D-glucose. This study shows that AG 629 has both prophylactic and curative effects on various ulcers. The anti-ulcer effect of this agent seems to be mediated primarily by increasing mucosal resistance and secondarily by an antisecretory activity.     

Effect of N-(3-aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc (Z-103) on healing and hydrocortisone-induced relapse of acetic acid ulcers in rats with limited food-intake-time

In the healing test of acetic acid ulcers in rats with limited food-intake-time, Z-103 given, p.o., at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg, twice a day, for 14 consecutive days from the day after acetic acid injection not only reduced the size and depth of the ulcers, but also promoted the regeneration of the defective mucosa. In the hydrocortisone-induced relapse test of acetic acid ulcers in rats with limited food-intake-time, Z-103 given, p.o., twice a day, at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg for 20 consecutive days from the 40th day after the acid injection strongly prevented the exfoliation of the regenerated mucosa. Cimetidine (100 mg/kg x 2/day, p.o.), like Z-103, showed a marked relapse-preventive action in addition to the healing-promoting action. However, it was more effective on the healing. Gefarnate (300 mg/kg x 2/day, p.o.) markedly reduced the size and depth of the ulcers and strongly prevented the steroid-induced relapse, but showed no apparent effect on the regeneration of the defective mucosa. These results suggest that Z-103 may be a new therapeutic agent sharing both healing-promoting and relapse-preventive actions on gastric ulcers.     

Effects of cimetidine on stress ulcer and gastric acid secretion in the rat

Cimetidine at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg significantly inhibited gastric acid secretion in rats with chronic gastric cannulas. Rats receiving either 50 or 100 mg/kg of cimetidine secreted significantly less gastric acid 3 hr after injection. Cimetidine failed to reduce the number of size of gastric lesions in rats lesions in rats subjected to a supine restraint procedure.     

Gastric secretion, proinflammatory cytokines and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the delayed healing of lingual and gastric ulcerations by testosterone

Hormonal fluctuations are known to predispose ulceration of the upper gastrointestinal tract, but to date no comparative study of their effects on the healing of pre-existing ulcers in the oral cavity and stomach has been made. We studied the effects of depletion of testosterone and of EGF on the healing of acetic acid-induced ulcers using rats having undergone bilateral orchidectomy and/or salivectomy respectively. We measured alterations in gastric acid secretion and blood flow at ulcer margins, as well as plasma levels of testosterone, gastrin and the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. Testosterone (0.01–10 mg/kg/day i. m.) dose-dependently delayed oral and gastric ulcer healing. When applied in an optimal dose of 1 mg/kg/day, this hormone significantly raised gastric acid secretion and plasma IL-1β and TNF-α levels. Attenuation of plasma testosterone levels via bilateral orchidectomy inhibited gastric acid secretion and accelerated the healing of oral and gastric ulcers, while increasing plasma gastrin levels and these effects were reversed by testosterone. Salivectomy raised plasma testosterone levels, and delayed oral and gastric ulcer healing. Treatment of salivectomised animals with testosterone further inhibited ulcer healing, and this effect was counteracted by EGF. We propose that testosterone delays ulcer healing via a fall in blood flow at the ulcer margin, a rise in plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α and, in the case of gastric ulcers, an increase in gastric acid secretion. EGF released from the salivary glands plays an important role in limitation of the deleterious effects of testosterone on ulcer healing. Received 17 October 2006; revised 2 July 2007; accepted 5 July 2007     

Cimetidine in patients with gastric ulcer: a multicentre controlled trial.

Forty-five adult outpatients with endoscopically confirmed gastric ulceration completed a double-blind trial of either cimetidine (1 g/day) or placebo. After six weeks 18 of the 23 patients receiving cimetidine showed complete ulcer healing compared with only six of the 22 patients receiving placebo. The cimetidine group also had fewer days with pain than the placebo group but the difference was not statistically significant. Cimetidine therefore seems to promote healing of gastric ulcers without severe side effects, although its effect on pain is less pronounced than in patients with duodenal ulcers.