[Protective effect of ranitidine and bismuth salts on gastritis induced by ethanol]

In normal males volunteers a double-blind parallel trial was performed to study protection induced by ranitidine and bismuth subcitrate on the damage induced by ethanol on the gastric mucosa. Subjects were randomized assigned in three groups: I (R) n = 9 Ranitidine 150 mg, II (B) n = 6 Bismuth 240 mg, and III (R + B) n = 9 both compounds. Drugs were administered one hour before endoscopy. If the subject initially showed absence of any lesion, he received through and endoscopic cannula an infusion of 100 ml of ethanol at 40%. Endoscopic evaluation was performed at 15 and 30 minutes, without retrieving the endoscope. Quantification of gastric lesions was performed using the scale of Tarnawski et al (Am J Med 83:31-37, 1987). In the group I there was no lesion in 67%, in the group II 0% and in the group III 78%. Petechial lesions were observed in 33%, 67% and 11% respectively. In summary, combination R + B and the R gave the best cytoprotection that observed only bismuth. Possible mechanism of action are discussed.