Effects of Ranitidine on Insulin and Lime - Induced Gastric Secretion in Albinowistar Rats

Abstract Purpose: To study the possible effect (s) of a relative H2-receptor blocker, ranitidine on lime and insulin-induced gastric secretion in male and female albino rats. Methods: The rats were divided into 3 groups of lime juice, insulin and control in triplicates after 24hr starvation to empty the stomachand were canulated (oesophageal, tracheal and gastric) using Gosh and Schild method. Using N saline, the acid content of the effluentwas recorded. The 1st group of rats was perfused with lime solution (25% v/v, 50%v/v, 75% v/v and 95% v/v) and was used to modify the secreto-ry rates of the parietal cells and the stomach effluent was collected 3 times in 30 minutes. In same man -ner, the 2nd group was perfused with 40 IU/ kg insulin. The 3rd group (control) had no lime nor insulin. Ranitidine was administered (2.5ml ) intramuscularly and the results noted. Results: The mean basal secretion significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased from 22.82 ±4.6mMol/L/hr to 52.94 ±10.23mMol/L/hr, while 2.5ml ranitidine (Zantac)injected intramuscularly decreased the basal stimula-tion from 52.94 ±10.23mMol/L/hr to34.77 ± 5.09 mMol/L/hr. Insulin (40 IU/kg) was administered in-travenously to the 2nd group of rats, and the mean basal secretion increased from 8.01±0.75 mMol/L/hr to10.00±0.71 mMol/L/hr. Ranitidine was administered intramuscularly and that caused a significant decrease in the insulin stimulation from 10.00±0.71 mMol/L/hr to 8.01±0.75 mMol/L/hr. Conclusion: Results obtained showed marked higher gastric secretion in females than in males, although stead increase was observed for both insulin and lime inducement.Generally, results obtained from this study indicated, a statistically significant decrease in both lime juice and insulin-induced gastric secretion by Ranitidine, and hencesubmits Ranitidine as a possible potent drug for peptic ulcer treatment