Ebrotidine--a new H2-receptor antagonist with mucosal strengthening activity

The mechanism of gastric mucosal protection by ebrotidine against ethanol-induced mucosal injury was investigated in rats treated intragastrically either with the drug or vehicle. Results of macroscopic assessment revealed that ebrotidine at doses of 50mg and higher/kg body weight effectively prevented mucosal injury, and that the maximal protective effect was achieved by 1h. Physicochemical analysis established that ebrotidine evoked 30% increase in mucus gel dimension, and showed 20% increase in phospholipids, and the content of sulfo- (18%) and sialomucins (21%). This was accompanied by 1.4-fold increase in mucus gel viscosity, 16% increase in H+ retardation capacity, and 65% increase in hydrophobicity. Our data show that ebrotidine is a unique H2-antagonist capable of enhancement of the physicochemical characteristics of gastric mucus.