S.E.M. study II: Protective effect of ranitidine against gastric and duodenal lesions induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The effect of Ranitidine on the gastric and duodenal lesions induced by Aspirin or Piroxicam was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twelve patients were entered into the study. The first group consisted of 6 patients with normal basic morphology, of which 3 were treated with 1.5 g of Aspirin and Ranitidine 300 mg/day, and 3 with 20 mg of Piroxicam and Ranitidine 300 mg/day, for one month. The second group was composed of 6 rheumatic patients, 3 of which took 1.5 g of Aspirin and the other 3 received 20 mg of Piroxicam per day for at least four months. Ranitidine (300 mg/day) was then administered concomitantly for one month to all these 6 patients. Overall, Ranitidine appeared to have a positive effect in preventing the development of gastroduodenal lesions induced by these anti-inflammatory drugs in the first group of patients. No differences were observed in the ability of Ranitidine to promote the healing of lesions induced by chronic treatment. Ranitidine, however, appeared to be more effective in preventing lesions induced by Aspirin rather than those induced by Piroxicam.