Effect of ultralow doses of antibodies to histamine on the development of chronic ulcerative process in the stomach of experimental animals.

Antiulcer activity of ultralow doses of antibodies to histamine was demonstrated on the model of chronic acetate-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Course therapy with the preparation accelerated healing of chronic experimental ulcer by correcting hemodynamic disturbances and stimulating mucus formation in the gastric wall.

Antiulcer activity of preparations containing ultralow doses of antibodies in modeled chronic ulcer in rats.

Screening of three potential antiulcer preparations containing ultralow doses of antibodies to endogenous regulators of ulcer formation (gastrin, histamine, and H2 histamine receptors) on the model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats revealed pronounced antiulcer effect of ultralow doses of antibodies to histamine. The dynamics of regeneration of the ulcer focus by morphological and histological characteristics was similar during treatment with ultralow doses of antibodies to histamine and with famotidine.

A succinct review of the general and immunological pharmacologic effects of proton pump inhibitors.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are a group of anti-ulcer agents. PPI have selective anti-cancer effects via apoptosis of tumour, sensitization of cancer cell to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Also PPI have anti-malarial and anti-leishmanial activity. Rising of endosomal (P)H inhibits the presentation of antigens that enter cell through endocytosis. PPI can affect transmigration of leucocytes from vessels to inflammatory sites and also can mitigate neutrophile adherence to endothelial cell. PPI increase the intralysosomal (P)H and decrease the expression of intracellular adhesion molecules. Therefore PPI can exert immunomodulation in immunological diseases through hampering antigen processing, antigen presentation, and leucocytes transmigration.

The impact of aluminium in acid-suppressing drugs on the immune response of BALB/c mice.

BACKGROUND: Recently we have shown that anti-acid drugs lead to an enhanced risk of food allergy. This may be due to hindered peptic digestion, caused by an elevation of the gastric pH. Additionally, it is known that aluminium-linked antigens lead to an increased probability of sensitization. OBJECTIVE: Our aim in this study was to show whether sucralfate promotes sensitization not only by preventing peptic digestion but also by acting as a T-helper type 2 (Th2) adjuvant. METHODS: To avoid the effect of sucralfate on the gastric pH and to show only the adjuvant effect, BALB/c mice were immunized on the parenteral route with codfish extract plus sucralfate, and control groups with aluminium hydroxide (alum) (Th2 adjuvant) or monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) (Th1 adjuvant). Antigen-specific antibodies and cytokine levels were determined. The in vivo effect was investigated by intradermal skin tests. RESULTS: Codfish-specific high IgG1 and IgE antibody levels as well as elevated IL-4 and IL-5 levels in alum- and MPL-treated mice, but more importantly also in sucralfate-treated mice, indicated a Th2 shift. Positive skin tests confirmed this Th2 response. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that parenterally applied sucralfate is able to induce a Th2 response probably due to the aluminium content. This indicates that orally applied sucralfate may lead to an enhanced risk of food allergy not only by inhibiting peptic digestion but also by acting as a Th2 adjuvant.

Risk assessment in elderly for sensitization to food and respiratory allergens.

For elderly people, epidemiological data are rare for respiratory allergies and completely missing for food allergies. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors for sensitizations in 109 people with a mean age of 77 years, who are living in a geriatric nursing home. The cross-sectional study included a detailed interview, skin prick tests, and serum tests for specific and total IgE, IFN-gamma, and ST2, a marker for Th2-lymphocyte activity. Almost all study subjects (n=101) suffered from co-morbidity, 14 from type I allergy, 25 from gastrointestinal disorders treated with anti-ulcer drugs, 25 were chronic alcoholics and 21 were smokers. The total IgE levels were significantly higher in men (P=0.025), and not affected by smoking or alcohol consumption. Skin prick tests were positive in 41.7% of tested patients. Specific IgE to respiratory allergens was found in 40.4% of all patients and was elevated in men (P=0.013), with a significant correlation to smoking (P=0.029). Specific IgE to food allergens was detected in 24.8%, apparently without connection to the investigated risk factors. However, positive skin prick tests with food allergens could be correlated with chronic alcohol consumption (P=0.036). The intake of anti-ulcer medication was significantly correlated with elevated ST2 levels as an indirect readout for Th2-cell activity (P<0.001). The risk factors for sensitization in elderly to respiratory allergens were chronic damage of respiratory epithelia due to smoking, and for sensitization to food allergens chronic alcohol consumption.

Antiulcer activity of ultralow doses of antibodies to histamine under experimental conditions.

Ultralow doses of antibodies to histamine produced a considerable antiulcer effect in rats with gastric ulcers induced by various factors. Antibodies to histamine markedly decreased aggressiveness of the gastric juice.

Clinical efficiency of Epigam in patients with exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum.

Clinical efficiency and safety of Epigam containing antibodies to histamine in ultralow doses were studied during the therapy of patients with exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. We examined 20 patients (18-50 years) with ulcerative lesions of the mucosal layer in the stomach and duodenum and H. pylori infection. Epigam (1 tablet, 6 times a day) or H2 receptor blocker ranitidine (150 mg, 2 times a day) were given in combination with amoxicillin (500 mg, 3 times a day, 14 days) and metronidazole (500 mg, 2 times a day, 14 days) for 28 days. The efficiency of treatment was determined before and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the start of therapy. The symptoms of peptic ulcer disease and time of ulcer healing underwent similar changes in patients of both groups. However, after ranitidine therapy pain syndrome disappeared more rapidly than in patients receiving Epigam. Epigam did not cause undesirable side effects. Our results indicate that Epigam is an efficient and safe preparation that may be used for combination therapy of patients with peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum.

Current role of acid suppressants in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.

Helicobacter pylori induces chronic active gastritis that may progress to atrophy. Serious clinical consequences are peptic ulcer disease and gastric malignancies. Today, treatment of the infection is an appropriate option and is strongly recommended in various clinical situations. Although many antibiotics are effective against H. pylori in vitro, few substances are suitable for use in vivo. This is because H. pylori lives in a unique environment in which several factors may affect the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the anti-microbial agents. One of the most important factors is gastric acidity. This article reviews the effects of acid suppression on H. pylori and the associated gastritis, the potential mechanisms by which anti-secretory drugs such as proton pump inhibitors might enhance the activity of anti-microbials in vivo, and the results of clinical trials supporting the current view that proton pump inhibitors are a mainstay in the treatment of this infection.

[Hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia associated with anti-omeprazole antibody].

An 80-year-old woman was admitted with anemia, jaundice and a bleeding tendency about 5 weeks after starting omeprazole. On admission, the hemoglobin was 6.4 g/dl, platelets 0.1 x 10(4)/microliter, leukocyte count 7,500/microliter, and reticulocyte count 325/1000. The total bilirubin was 1.9 mg/dl, indirect bilirubin 0.6 mg/dl, lactate dehydrogenase 572 IU/l, and haptoglobin < 10 mg/dl. Both the direct and the indirect Coombs' tests were positive. The platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) was 1,100.0 ng/10(7) cells. A decrease in the complement value was observed. There was an increase in the number of megakaryocytes and erythroblasts in the marrow film. After omeprazole administration was halted, her hemoglobin and platelet levels gradually returned to normal. On the 27th hospital day, the direct Coombs' test was positive but the indirect Coombs' test became negative. The PAIgG value also returned to normal, and she was discharged on the 59th hospital day. The acute phase of the drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test was negative, however, we detected the IgG antibody to omeprazole. In the recovery phase, the IgG value decreased. Forty days after discharge, the direct Coombs' test had become negative. This is apparently the first report of a patient with acute hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia due to omeprazole through an immune complex mechanism.

Antigenicity studies on catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc].

The antigenicity of Z-103 (catena-(S)-[mu[N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl) histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc], CAS 107667-60-7) was evaluated using the following assay procedures: 1. active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in guinea pigs. 2. passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in guinea pigs with serum from guinea pigs sensitized with Z-103, 3. delayed type skin reaction (Maximization Test) in guinea pigs, 4. passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats with serum from mice sensitized with Z-103 and 5. passive hemagglutination (PHA) with serum from mice sensitized with Z-103. In each test except for Maximization Test, the sera obtained 1 or 6 h (hereinafter designated as 1-h-sera or 6-h-sera) after a single oral administration of 500 mg/kg of Z-103 to the unused rats, guinea pigs or rabbits, were used as the challenge antigen. 1. ASA in guinea pigs: No anaphylaxis reaction was observed in any of the sensitized guinea pigs by elicitation with challenge antigen. 2. PCA in guinea pigs: PCA titer of sera from all the sensitized animals was less than 1 in elicitation with the challenge antigen. 3. Delayed type skin reaction test: No skin reaction was observed in sensitized guinea pigs after intradermal injection or dermal application of Z-103. 4. PCA in rats: PCA titer of sera from BALB/c and C3H/He mice sensitized with Z-103 was less than 5 in elicitation with the challenge antigen. 5. PHA reaction: When erythrocytes coated with challenge antigen were added to sensitized sera, the hemagglutination titer was less than 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)