CYTOPROTECTIVE AND ANTISECRETORY ACTIVITY OF A RANITIDINE-ZINC COMPLEX

The effects of a ranitidine-zinc complex and ranitidine alone were com pared in three different experimental models (pyloric ligation, ethano l and indomethacin) of gastric ulceration in the rat. In the pyloric l igation model, the ranitidine-zinc complex (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg p.o. ) showed antiulcerogenic activity similar to that observed with equimo lar doses of ranitidine (35, 70 and 105 mg/kg p.o.). Both the ranitidi ne-zinc complex and ranitidine significantly reduced (p < 0.05) gastri c acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The protective effect of the ranitidine-zinc complex (100 and 150 mg/kg p.o.) against gastric d amage developing after p.o. administration of absolute ethanol or indo methacin was enhanced (p < 0.05) with respect to that obtained with eq uimolar doses of ranitidine (70 and 105 mg/kg p.o.). The presence of z inc in the ranitidine-zinc complex does not interfere with the antisec retory effects of ranitidine on the gastric mucosa, while it confers a n additional cytoprotective action to the final compound.