Aa. Johansen

Gastric Arteriosclerosis in Elderly People

A series of 103 autopsied patients over the age of 60 were examined for arteriosclerosis in gastric and various extragastric vessels. Nine of them had significant arteriosclerosis in the gastric vessels, against 89 patients with such changes in the coronary arteries. It is concluded that gastric arteriosclerosis is rare even in patients over 60 with a high rate of arteriosclerosis in extragastric vessels. The importance of gastric arteriosclerosis for the course of gastroduodenal haemorrhage in old age is questioned.

Influence of the Prostaglandin E1 Analogue Rioprostil on the Human Gastric Mucosa

Ten healthy volunteers received the prostaglandin E1 analogue Rioprostil 300 micrograms b.i.d. for 1 week. Endoscopically obtained biopsies were investigated with tritiated thymidine and autoradiography to determine the rate of cell proliferation and with a texture-analyzing system to measure the intracellular amount of mucus in the epithelial cells. Rioprostil did not alter the tritiated thymidine labeling index in the antral area but did significantly depress it in the fundic area. The mucus content was unchanged in the antrum but was significantly increased in the fundus. These observations indicate that Rioprostil given orally causes an enhanced cell maturation in the fundic area as well as an increased intracellular mucus content. Rioprostil seems to have no influence on the human antral area.

Effect of Cimetidine on Gastric Mucosal Cell Proliferation in Man

Seven duodenal ulcer patients were treated for 3 months with cimetidine. Before and after treatment endoscopic biopsy specimens were taken for autoradiographic estimation of cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa in the antral and fundic part of the stomach and from the duodenum. In all three areas the estimated labeling index was increased during medication with cimetidine. The increase in epithelial cell renewal may participate in the ulcer healing effect of cimetidine.

A Comparison of the Effects of Hp 549 (Isoxepac), Indomethacin and Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin®) on Gastric Mucosa in Man

To determine the reaction of the gastric mucosa to HP 549 (isoxepac) an oxo-dibenz-oxepine derivative of acetic acid and new non-steroidal antiphlogistic agent in comparison with standard drugs, 12 healthy volunteers received 3 g of Aspirin, 150 mg of indomethacin, or 600 mg of HP 549 (isoxepac) in a double-blind cross-over trial. Before and after each treatment period, all subjects underwent gastroscopy with biopsy of gastric mucosa. The subjects recorded complaints (side effects) before and after each treatment period. Aspirin produced significantly more gross mucosal changes at endoscopy. There was no significant difference between isoxepac and indomethacin. Both produced very few gastric mucosal changes and there were few subjective complaints.

The effect of acetyl salicylic acid and indomethacin on cell proliferation kinetics in the human gastric mucosa

To determine the effect of acetyl salicylic acid and Indomethacin on the rate of cell proliferation in the human gastric stomach, 6 healthy volunteers received daily 3 g of acetyl salicylic acid or 150 mg of indomethacin for one week in a double-blind crossover trial. Cell proliferation was assessed by means of tritiated thymidine and autoradiography. The labelling index did not change, indicating that cell proliferation to compensate for the exfoliation caused by ASA and indomethacin does not increase.

Peptic Ulceration and Obstructive Disease: Respiratory Insufficiency

Augmented histamine, gastric biopsy, and barium meal studies were made of 44 patients with respiratory insufficiency. Despite the fact that 80% evidenced atrophic gastritis, 27% had peptic ulcers and high acid secretion. More comprehensive studies of total acid production and of multiple gastric biopsies arc desirable.