The effect of cimetidine treatment on suppressor T cells in duodenal ulcer patients.

Changes in the suppressor T-lymphocyte activity were studied in 11 patients with duodenal ulcer during treatment with cimetidine. The drug was administered intravenously in a dose of 200 mg four times a day for a fortnight. Suppressor T-cell activity was determined by the Shou et al. method using two-stage culture before treatment, after 4 days of the treatment, just before drug withdrawal, and 2 days and 2 wk after the treatment. Suppressor T-cell activity significantly decreased soon after starting the treatment, remained low throughout the treatment, and rapidly and significantly increased following drug withdrawal.