Evidence for the existence of gastric cytoprotective effect of atropine and cimetidine in humans.
The effects of cimetidine (12.5 mg i.m.) and atropine (0.125 mg i.m.) were studied on the basal (BAO) and pentagastrin (6 micrograms X kg-1 s.c.)-stimulated (MAO) gastric acid secretion; the gastric mucosal microbleeding provoked by one-day treatment with indomethacin (4 X 25 mg orally) in patients with chronic disorders of the joints. The extent of the gastric microbleeding was measured by spectrophotometric determination of haemoglobin in gastric lavage fluid. The aims of this study were to determine the doses of cimetidine and atropine in humans without any significant inhibitory effects either on the basal or on the maximal gastric acid output to evaluate the cytoprotective action of these doses of cimetidine and atropine on the indomethacin-induced gastric microbleeding in the man. It was found that cimetidine (12.5 mg i.m.) and atropine (0.125 mg i.m.) did not cause any significant inhibition either of the BAO or of the MAO; indomethacin (4 X 25 mg orally) significantly increased gastric microbleeding in the patients; cimetidine and atropine, in the above doses, were able to prevent significantly indomethacin-induced gastric microbleeding in the patients. These results provide evidence for the existence of gastric cytoprotective effects of cimetidine and atropine in humans.
D000328:Adult; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D001285:Atropine; D002927:Cimetidine; D007213:Indomethacin