[The effect of histamine H2 receptor blockers on reparative processes in the gastric mucosa of patients with gastric peptic ulcer].

AIM: To investigate effects of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (cimetidine, famotidine) on proliferative activity of gastric mucosa of patients with acute gastric ulcer.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We treated 74 patients (54 men and 20 women) with acute benign mediogastric ulcer at the age of 28-56 years. Group 1 consisted of 24 patients who received antacid; group 2--of 26 patients on 1 g/day cimetidine; group 3--24 patients who received famotidine 40 mg qPM. We assessed clinical efficiency of three-week therapy, grade of ulcer healing, proliferative activity of antral and fundic gastric epithelium and ulcer margin epithelium using autoradiography with 3H-thymidine.

RESULTS

Clinical efficiency of histamine H2-receptor antagonists was significantly higher than of antacid. Cimetidine and famotidine stimulate proliferative activity in the epithelium of ulcer margins.

CONCLUSION

The ability to stimulate proliferative activity of gastric mucosa makes H2-receptor antagonists an effective modality in acute gastric ulcer with low acid secretion.