Effects of rioprostil on gastric acid and pepsin secretion in man: a review of studies in healthy volunteers.

The antisecretory effect of rioprostil on acid and pepsin secretion stimulated by pentagastrin or a meal, or on the 24-h intragastric acidity is tested in four different studies in 33 healthy male volunteers using a double-blind, crossover design. The oral doses of rioprostil used are 50 micrograms, 100 micrograms, 150 micrograms, 200 micrograms, 300 micrograms and 600 micrograms; these are the results obtained: Rioprostil reduces basal H+ and pepsin output by more than 50%. Rioprostil, 300 micrograms and 600 micrograms, significantly reduces the 3-h pentagastrin-stimulated acid output by 43.5% and 58.9%, respectively, and the 3-h stimulated pepsin output by 41.1% and 66.5%, respectively (p = 0.01). Depending on the method used for intragastric titration the following percentages of inhibition of acid secretion are observed, 40%, 65%, and 75% with 150 micrograms, 300 micrograms, and 600 micrograms rioprostil respectively, with one method and 32%, 34%, and 79% with 25 micrograms, 50 micrograms, and 200 micrograms rioprostil respectively, with a somewhat modified technique. The differences observed in % inhibition between these two studies can be explained by the use of a different intragastric titration technique. Rioprostil, 300 micrograms and 600 micrograms, significantly inhibits night-time acid secretion (AUC x h, 2400 h-0800 h) by 52% and 73.5% when compared with placebo (p = 0.03). The calculated ED50 for acid inhibition is 86.5 micrograms of rioprostil.