Rioprostil and the gastric mucus-bicarbonate barrier

The effects of a single oral dose of rioprostil, 150 micrograms, rioprostil, 300 micrograms, or placebo on gastric mucus and bicarbonate secretion were investigated in humans under basal conditions and during pentagastrin infusion. The study was carried out in healthy male volunteers according to a double-blind crossover design. Rioprostil, 300 micrograms, significantly stimulated basal mucus secretion and induced a significant increase in mucoprotein and bicarbonate output during pentagastrin infusion. The results suggest that rioprostil enhances the gastric mucus-bicarbonate barrier in man.