Effect of carbenoxolone on ionic fluxes across normal gastric mucosa and that associated with gastric ulcer
Ivey, K.J.; Gray, C.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine 3(5): 451-456
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-8291 PMID: 4591118 Document Number: 60562
The effect of carbenoxolone on ionic permeability of human gastric mucosa was determined using liquid test meals in five healthy subjects. Control solutions contained 160 m M Hci and 25 μc/litre 51Cr Cl3 as non-absorbable indicator. The test solution contained in addition 100 mg carbenoxolone per 200 ml. No significant differences were found in net H +, Na +, K +, or Cl- fluxes between control and carbenoxolone studies. In three subjects studies were repeated after three weeks of oral therapy with carbenoxolone tablets 100 mg tid. This produced no significant alteration of values either in control or carbenoxolone studies. A 24 year old patient with a markedly abnormal gastric mucosal barrier was studied during the acute phase of his ulcer and again after radiological healing of the ulcer following three months therapy with carbenoxolone 100 mg tid. Ionic permeability of the mucosa remained unaltered despite healing of the ulcer and/or carbenoxolone therapy. When the ulcer recurred intragastric instillation of the carbenoxolone test solution failed to alter ionic permeability. We conclude that carbenoxolone does not alter ionic permeability in normal subjects nor does its action in increasing the healing rate of gastric ulcer appear to be due to alteration of ionic permeability.