[Therapy of peptic ulcer and chronic gastritis with bismuth salts]

Colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) precipitates in an acid environment, adheres to mucus, blocks pepsin activity, retards hydrogen-ion back diffusion and stimulates prostaglandin synthesis. The average healing rate after 4 weeks' treatment with CBS is 78% in duodenal ulcer versus 67% with cimetidine. A direct comparison with ranitidine gives healing rates of 78% (CBS) as opposed to 78% with ranitidine. The corresponding figures in gastric ulcer are 68% (CBS) and 54% (cimetidine). The percentage of relapse-free patients is substantially higher after CBS ulcer healing than after H2-blockers. Bismuth subsalicylate eliminates Campylobacter pylori in 71% after 4-weeks' therapy. Parallel to this elimination a decrease and normalization of the acute inflammatory process can be seen in antral mucosa.