Gastric pharmacological activities of tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate in rats and dogs.

The effects of tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate (TDB) on gastric acid, pepsin and mucoprotein secretion in rats and on hydrochloric-peptic secretion and plasma gastrin levels in dogs were investigated. In Shay rats, TDB did not affect acid secretion but significantly lowered pepsin concentration and increased the amount of bound mucoproteins. In addition, gastric mucosal lesions were significantly prevented by the drug. In dogs, chronically fitted with both gastric fistulae and Heidenhain pouches, acid secretion and plasma gastrin levels stimulated by a meat meal were unaffected by TDB, while pepsin concentration and pepsin output were significantly decreased. On the basis of these results, the antiulcer activity of TDB appears to be ascribed to the protection of the gastric mucosa through an increase in mucoprotein synthesis and a decrease of pepsin activity.