Effect of Nizatidine versus Ranitidine on Gastric Intraluminal Prostaglandin Release in Duodenal Ulcer Patients

Abstract

The role of prostaglandins in peptic ulcer disease and their relation to Helicobacter pylori infection remain controversial. This study sought to compare the effects of oral nizatidine and ranitidine on the gastric mucosal release of prostanoids in duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and to correlate prostanoid concentrations with H. pylori status. Twenty-eight patients with DUs were randomized to receive either nizatidine or ranitidine. Nizatidine 300 mg at night elevated intraluminal PGE₂ concentrations; 6-keto-PGF₁α, concentrations also rose, but did not reach statistical significance. Ranitidine induced nonsignificant falls in PGE₂ and 6-keto-PGE₁α concentrations. Patients with H. pylori infection had lower PGE, and 6-keto-PGF₁α concentrations than non-infected patients, but nizatidine was equally effective in increasing prostanoid levels in both groups. These findings may be considered as favourable side effects of nizatidine with uncertain clinical significance. Further studies are needed to elucidate the synergism between prostanoids, eradication of H. pylori and nizatidine in the treatment of DU.

Key Words:

• Duodenal ulcer
• Helicobacter pylori
• nizatidine
• prostaglandins
• ranitidine