RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to observe the effect of H2-receptor antagonist Ranitidine and calcium channel blocker Verapamil on the volume, free and total acidity of carbachol induced gastric secretion. METHODS: Twenty four albino rats of Sprangue Dawley strain weighing 150-200 grams were used. Animals were divided into Four groups. After fasting for 48 hours, pylorus of each animal was ligated, verapamil 10 mg/Kg, ranitidine 0.5 mg/Kg and carbachol 600 microg/Kg body weight were administered intraperitoneally. RESULTS: It was observed that ranitidine significantly reduced both the volume and acidity (p<0.001). Similarly Verapamil also significantly reduced the volume, free and total acidity when compared to carbachol alone. When verapamil was used in combination with ranitidine 15 minutes before carbachol, there was further inhibition of volume and acidity as compared to ranitidine alone. This reduction was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that combined therapy of verapamil and ranitidine may have clinical usefulness in the management of severe peptic ulcer and Zollinger Ellison Syndrome.