title: The actions of bismuth in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.
abstract: Bismuth salts have been used in medicine for over three centuries, particularly in the treatment of dyspepsia. Commonly used agents include colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and the newer ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC). These are safe drugs which exert local effects on the gastroduodenal mucosa. Gastric mucosal levels of bismuth exceed the concentrations required to kill Helicobacter pylori in vitro. The mechanisms of actions of bismuth on gastrointestinal pathogens including H. pylori are complex and include inhibition of protein and cell wall synthesis, membrane function and ATP synthesis. Adherence of H. pylori to surface epithelial cells is also impaired. Bismuth monotherapy is effective in vivo to suppress H. pylori but cure rates are low. CBS, BSS and RBC have synergistic activity with one or two antibiotics and are effective in eradicating H. pylori. CBS and RBC also exert other effects on the mucosa including cytoprotective and ulcer healing properties. In addition, RBC is effective in inhibiting gastric acid secretion.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Sciences Department, Mornington Peninsula Hospital, Frankston, Australia.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Midolo
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001729:Bismuth / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004386:Duodenum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012459:Salicylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012459:Salicylates; C015715:bismuth subsalicylate; C073340:ranitidine bismuth citrate; D011899:Ranitidine; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate; D001729:Bismuth