Abstract
Peptic ulcer is a serious illness of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) with many factors attributing to its etiology such as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), smoking, alcohol, infection with Helicobacter pylori, imbalance between mucosal aggressive factors (acid and pepsin)and protective factors (mucus, blood flow and local prostaglandins). Several reports have indicated the importance of calcium ions in stimulating gastric acid secretion and the reversal of this effect by calcium channel blockers. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of the combined administration of a calcium channel blocker, Verapamil (8 and 16 mg/kg, i.p) with the antiulcer drug belonging to the class of H2receptor antagonist, Ranitidine (50 mg/kg, p.o) on the gastric lesions induced by ethanol in rats. The effects of coadmistration ofverapamil and ranitidine on gastric volume, total gastric acidity and gastric mucosal mucus content were also studied. The results showed that verapamil used alone or combined with ranitidine provided a gastroprotective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. The gastroprotective effect was associated with an increase in gastric mucus content and a significant reduction in total gastric acidity. We conclude that the calcium channel blocker, verapamil, possesses an anti-ulcer effect and it is capable of potentiating the gastroprotective effect of ranitidine, therefore its use may be beneficial in patients suffering of peptic ulcer and cardiovascular diseases.