Sulphydryl-containing agents: a new approach to the problem of refractory peptic ulceration

Refractory peptic ulceration is the term applied to those gastric and duodenal ulcers which remain unhealed despite active treatment for at least 3 months. Sulphydryl-containing agents stimulate the formation of gastrointestinal mucus, bind the oxygen-derived free radicals that mediate tissue damage and play an important role in protein synthesis. This is the first report which suggests that these agents stimulate the healing of refractory gastric and duodenal ulceration without any adverse events.