[The effect of H2-receptor blockers (cimetidine and ranitidin) on parotid gland secretion and salivary carbonic anhydrase activity in the rat].

It has been demonstrated, that the H2-receptor antagonists: cimetidine and ranitidine-administered in doses of the same order of magnitude as reported for the inhibition of rat gastric secretion and development of the experimentally induced gastric and duodenal ulcer-are capable of increasing significantly the parotid secretion evoked by the cholinergic stimulant bethanechol. The salivary carbonic anhydrase activity was also elevated after combined treatment of bethanechol(+)-cimetidine. The similar action of the two H2-antagonists appears to suggest that their effect on salivation is connected probably with the cholinergic activity and it is concluded that the combination of bethanechol with these blockers may improve the esophageal clearance, an action that may be beneficial in the treatment of the gastroesophageal reflux disease.