[Study of the antioxidant drug "Karinat" in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis].

A randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial of the drug karinat was carried out in patients with chronic multifocal atrophic gastritis. Karinat contains beta-carotene 2.5 mg, alpha-tocopherol 5 mg, ascorbic acid 30 mg and garlic powder 150 mg per tablet. Out of 66 patients, 34 received karinat, 32--placebo. Both karinat and placebo were administered for 6 months, one tablet twice a day. Karinat therapy improved digestion, the fibrogastroscopic pattern of mucosa, inhibited Helicobacter pylori infection, stimulated stomach activity, mitigated intestinal metaplasia and interfered with the epithelial proliferation of gastric mucosa. These therapeutic effects were more pronounced in the study group. On the whole, the effectiveness of the drug was significantly higher (29%). Karinat should be recommended for the management of chronic atrophic gastritis, a precursor of stomach cancer.