Effect of a mucolytic agent on gastric secretory functions

ABSTRACT

To explore the effects of carbocysteine drug, a mucolytic one, on the secretory functions of stomach, this study was carried out on 20 adult persons of both sexes aged between 25-50 years. All persons were subjected to the determination of free and total acidity, mucin content and peptic activity in their fasting gastric juice samples taken before and after two weeks of carbocysteine administration. The results revealed that there is a significant decrease of total gastric acidity, while the free acidity was nonsignificantly decreased. However, the mucin content and the peptic activity were nonsignificantly increased. Also, there was a significant inverse correlation between the mucin content and both of free and total acidity. It was concluded that carbocysteine does not affect the gastric secretory functions and may have a beneficial effect on the gastric mucosa as it helps tissue repair