EFFECT OF REBAMIPIDE ON H-PYLORI-ASSOCIATED GASTRIC-MUCOSAL INJURY INMONGOLIAN GERBILS

Helicobacter pylori colonized to gastric mucosa plays an important pat hogenic role in gastric mucosal lesions. We previously reported that e thanol pretreatment promotes the extension of H. pylori-associated les ions. The present study was designed to examine the effect of rebamipi de, a mucosal protective agent, on H. pylori-associated injury. Male M ongolian gerbils were orally inoculated with H. pylori; 30 min prior t o inoculation, 40% ethanol was administered orally to these gerbils (H p group). Controls were given 40% ethanol with culture medium (control group). Some gerbils in the Hp and control groups were fed rebamipide -containing diets, and the remaining gerbils received laboratory chow diets. H. pylori infection was evaluated by quantitative bacterial cul ture and histological examination. Although H, pylori was persistently detected and a remarkable mucosal leukocyte infiltration was observed in the Hp groups, the bacteria had disappeared naturally in 67% of th e gerbils and mucosal damage was mitigated in the Hp + rebamipide grou p at four weeks after the inoculation. Collectively, rebamipide might play a role in inhibiting the level of H. pylori colonization and gast ric lesion formation in Mongolian gerbils.