Effect of a short course of indomethacin on gastric mucosal blood flow using endoscopic laser-Doppler velocimetry.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of a short course of indomethacin on gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF).


METHODS
Patients with musculo-skeletal pain of recent origin and were prescribed a short course of therapy with indomethacin (25 mg tid for 7 days) were studied Baseline measurements of GMBF were carried out using endoscopic laser-Doppler velocimetry prior to starting indomethacin. At sites on the antrum, incisura, lesser and greater curvatures, and fundus. GMBF measurements were repeated after indomethacin therapy, as above and also on sites of erosions, it any.


RESULTS
Baseline GMBF at sites on the antrum, incisura, greater and lesser curvatures, and fundus were (mean) 8.6, 7.9, 8.8, 8.5 and 8.7 volts, respectively. Post-therapy values did not differ from the corresponding baseline values (8.7, 8.5, 8.6, 8.6 and 8.3 volts, respectively). However, ten of the 16 patients developed gastric mucosal erosions and the mean GMBF on these sites of erosion was significantly reduced (6.6 +/- 1.3 volts, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A short course of indomethacin therapy produces a patchy decrease in blood flow in the gastric mucosa and erosions were seen in these areas.
Sawant
P
P
Department of Gastroenterology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and Hospital, Bombay.
Bhatia
R
R
Kulhalli
P
P
Mahajani
S S
SS
Nanivadekar
S A
SA
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007213:Indomethacin