[Effects of FOY-305 on post-operative reflux esophagitis in rats (I). Effects of FOY-305 on reflux esophagitis after total gastrectomy in rats].

We investigated the effect of camostat mesilate (FOY-305), an oral protease inhibitor, on reflux esophagitis after total gastrectomy followed by an end-to-side esophago-jejunostomy (Billroth-II) in rats. Effects of FOY-305 were compared with those of sodium alginate (AL-Na) and cimetidine. On the basis that esophageal ulceration occurred from post-operative day 5 in this model, rodents were fed with special chows containing test drugs from day 2 for 5 or 12 days in order to examine the prophylactic effects (Exp. I) and from day 7 for two weeks in healing experiments (Exp. II). In Exp. I, FOY-305 significantly prevented esophageal ulceration on post-operative days 7 and 14. However, AL-Na significantly prevented esophageal ulceration on post-operative day 7 but not on day 14. In Exp. II, FOY-305 had a remarkable therapeutic effect on esophageal ulceration on day 21. Food intake and body weight of rodents in the FOY-305-treated group were higher than those in the control group. In pathohistological studies, FOY-305 elicited an inhibitory effect on ulceration and induced esophageal mucosal regeneration at the ulceration sites. In contrast, AL-Na and cimetidine did not have any significant therapeutic effect. These results suggest that FOY-305 is an effective agent for the treatment of reflux esophagitis after total gastrectomy.