ELECTRON MICROSCOPICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF “RANITIDINE” (HISTAMINE H2-ANTAGONIST RECEPTOR) DRUG FOR REGENERATION OF THE GASTRIC MUCOSAL CELLS OF MICE POST-TREATED WITH “INDOMETHACIN”

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The use of the histamine H2-antagonist receptor drug appeared useful not only for the prophylaxis of gastric mucosal and duodenal ulcers, and reflux oesophigitis, but also for the proper treatment of over secretion of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells that appeared after the usage of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, the present investigation was designated to evaluate the usefulness of “Ranitidine” for the prophylaxis of the side effects of “Indomethacin on the gastric mucosal parietal and peptic cells. Four groups of mice were used in the present study, each consisting of 0 animals. Mice of the first group served as a control group. Mice of groups II, III, IV were treated with the therapeutic dose of “Indomethacin” 0.7 mg/kg. body weight for 3 weeks, then treatment was stopped. Animals of group III, received 4 mg/kg. body weight “Ranitidine” for 3 weeks, while those of group IV received 8 mg/kg. body weight “Ranitidine” for the same time intervals. Animals of group II were left untreated with “Ranitidine” and considered as “Indomethacin”-treated group. The gastric mucosal parietal and peptic cells of both control and treated groups were examined by the use of the electron microscope. In the case of “Indomethacin”-treated materials the gastric mucosal parietal cells revealed noticeable deteriorative features of their organelles and inclusions where the mitochondria were devastated, and the intercellular canaliculi were swollen, and occupied large areas of the cytoplasm. The rough endoplasmic reticulum was fragmented into smaller cisternae. In case of peptic cells, the drug used caused conspicuous cytolysis of the cells, and the cytoplasm was found to be devoid of the secretory granules. In case of “Ranitidine”-treated specimens (group III and IV), examination of these cells revealed gradual regeneration depending on the drug doses used in each experimental group. Where group III showed slight changes or noticeable sign of recovery from “Indomethacin” toxication. Nonetheless, animals of group IV displayed the highest degree of regeneration from “Indomethacin” toxication, where almost all the lesions disappeared by using 8 mg/kg. body weight “Ranitidine”. Such results indicate the useful use of “Ranitidine” for treatment of the side effects of “Indomethacin” in the parietal and peptic cells of the gastric mucosa.