title: Effects of combination treatment with famotidine and methylmethionine sulfonium chloride on the mucus barrier of rat gastric mucosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Japan, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is treated clinically with a combination of a mucosal protectant and acid suppressants, but there is scant information regarding the effects of these drugs on normal gastric mucus cells. In the present study, the effects of co-administration of methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (MMSC) and famotidine on rat gastric mucus cells were investigated using both biochemical and histological methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were divided into four groups: controls were given carboxymethylcellulose orally once daily for 7 days and the second, third and fourth groups were treated similarly with famotidine (famotidine group), MMSC (MMSC group) or famotidine plus MMSC (combination group). After killing the rats on the 8th day, the stomachs were removed and the biosynthesis and amount of mucin in different areas of the gastric mucosa were compared among groups. Using anti-mucin monoclonal antibodies, the mucin content and immunoreactivity were also compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the biosynthesis and accumulation of mucin were significantly decreased in the famotidine group, but increased in the MMSC and combination groups. The amount and immunoreactivity of surface mucus cell-derived mucin were both reduced in the famotidine group, and increased in the MMSC and combination groups. There was no difference among the groups in the content and immunoreactivity of gland mucus cell-derived mucin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Famotidine-induced suppression of gastric surface mucus cell function is prevented by combined treatment with MMSC, raising the possibility of a more effective cure of PUD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Kitasto University School of Medcine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. t.ichika@kitasato-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saegusa
authors.forename: Tomohisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.forename: Yukinobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goso
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikezawa
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishihara
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015738:Famotidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D005752:Gastric Mucins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014814:Vitamin U / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D005752:Gastric Mucins; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D014814:Vitamin U; D015738:Famotidine