EFFECTS OF H-2-RECEPTOR BLOCKING-AGENTS ON BACTERIAL TRANSLOCATION INBURN INJURY

We experimentally studied the effects of Hz receptor blockers (ranitid ine) on bacterial translocation (BT) in 42 male albino rats. Sham grou p (Group I, n = 12 rats) were exposed to 21 degrees C water while Burn group (Group II, n = 15 rats) and Ranitidine group (Group III, n = 15 rats) were exposed to 95 degrees C hot water for 10 seconds to produc e a full thickness burn in 30% of total body surface area. 300 mg/kg r anitidine was administered to Group III starting immediately after the burn injury. Rats were sacrificed on the fifth postburn day. Sham gro up gained weight while groups II and III had significant weight loss. Gastric pH increased with the administration of ranitidine. Both gram negative and total number of bacteria were found to be reduced in ceca l stool cultures in ranitidine group. Significant increase in BT was o bserved in Group III, and translocating bacteria were found to be diff erent in burn and ranitidine groups with a final conclusion that admin istration of ranitidine changes intestinal ecological equilibrium and promotes BT.