Effects of loxoprofen sodium, a newly synthesized non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and indomethacin on gastric mucosal haemodynamics in the human.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are, and have been, frequently used for alleviation of pain in patients; however, they are known to cause gastric mucosal injury in experimental animals and in humans. A decrease in the gastric mucosal blood flow also plays an important role in the aetiology of acute gastric mucosal injury, as we previously reported. This study investigated the effect of a newly synthesized NSAID, loxoprofen sodium (sodium 2[p-2 oxocyclopentylmethyl) phenyl]propionate dihydrate, on gastric mucosal haemodynamics using a reflectance spectrophotometry system. Both single and cross-over methods were used in five volunteer subjects. Loxoprofen sodium 60 mg (one tablet) or indomethacin 25 mg (one tablet), was diluted in 10 mL water at 25 degrees C and sprayed on the gastric mucosa via a polyethylene tube inserted into the biopsy channel of an endoscope. After drug administration, reflectance spectra were taken every 5 min for 30 min. The indices of mucosal haemoglobin content (IHb) and oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (ISO2) were determined by the method previously reported by the authors. Indomethacin administration produced a significant decrease in both IHb and ISO2 values, indication ischaemia. Loxoprofen sodium, however, showed no significant differences in either of the parameters. Haemorrhagic erosions were evident after indomethacin administration, but none were found after loxoprofen sodium administration. The conclusion reached on the basis of this evidence is that one-time topical application of loxoprofen sodium is safer than indomethacin.