Effects of ranitidine for exercise induced gastric mucosal changes and bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of ranitidine on gastric mucosal changes and on GI bleeding in long distance runners.


METHODS
Twenty-four long distance runners (M: 16, F: 8, age: 18.2 +/- 1.5 years) participated in this study. A symptom questionnaire, stool hemoccult test, and upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy were performed on the subjects prior to the study. The subjects took oral ranitidine (150 mg, b.i.d.) for two weeks. The upper GI endoscopy and stool Hemoccult tests were repeated after the treatment.


RESULTS
Twenty-two of the 24 runners had at least one upper GI mucosal lesion before the medication. The Endoscopic improvements were seen in eleven of the 14 cases of erosive gastritis and four of the 5 cases of esophagitis. Six subjects were Heme occult positive prior to the study, but only one was positive after the medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastric mucosal lesions and GI bleeding in long distance runners seem to be associated to acid-related factors mediated by the high level of regular running. Ranitidine seems to be and effective prophylaxis to prevent gastric mucosal lesions and GI bleeding.
Choi
Suck Jun
SJ
Department of Leisure and Sports, Wonkwang Health Science College, Iksan, South Korea.
Kim
Yong Sung
YS
Chae
Jeong Ryong
JR
Cho
Hong Kwan
HK
Kim
Tae Hyeon
TH
Sohn
Young Woo
YW
Oh
Yong Leol
YL
Seo
Geom Seog
GS
Nah
Yong-Ho
YH
Choi
Suck Chei
SC