Ranitidine inhibits the trophic effect of caerulein on the pancreas in rats (preliminary data)

The aim of this study was to establish whether ranitidine treatment influences the trophic effect of caerulein on the pancreas of rats. Ranitidine (20 mg/kg b.w.), caerulein (1 microgram/kg b.w.) were applied for 7 days alone, or combined with caerulein, given intraperitoneally twice a day. Saline treated rats served as control. Caerulein increased pancreatic weight, total pancreatic protein, trypsin, amylase and RNA contents. Ranitidine when given alone did not influence pancreatic growth and composition. When ranitidine, however, was combined with caerulein, it abolished the trophic effect of caerulein on the pancreas. The trophic effect of caerulein on rat pancreas could be abolished by H2-receptor antagonist (ranitidine) treatment. The authors suggest that the drug exerts its inhibitory effect on the acinar cells directly.