[Effects of nizatidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on gastric acid secretion and various gastric and duodenal lesions in rats: comparison with cimetidine].

We examined the antisecretory and antilesion activities of nizatidine in rats. Male SD or Donryu rats (200-260 g) were used under fasted or fed conditions. Nizatidine, given orally or parenterally (intraperitoneally, subcutaneously or intraduodenally) at 0.3-150 mg/kg, inhibited both basal (pylorus-ligation preparations) and histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion (acute fistula preparations) in a dose-dependent manner. The potency of nizatidine was 2 to 8 times greater than cimetidine when the ED50 values (mg/kg or mu mole/kg) of each agent were compared. The antisecretory activity of nizatidine, given orally, persisted for more than 3.5 hr, but disappeared 6 hr later. Nizatidine, given orally or subcutaneously at 0.3-150 mg/kg, prevented development of gastric lesions induced by water immersion, pylorus ligation (Shay), histamine, aspirin, or indomethacin in a dose-dependent manner. Duodenal ulcers induced by mepirizole were also markedly prevented with nizatidine. The potency of nizatidine on stress lesions or duodenal ulcers was about 20 or 14 times greater than that of cimetidine, respectively. Nizatidine, given orally 3 times a day for 4 weeks, significantly (P less than 0.05) accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers which were delayed by prolonged treatment with indomethacin. These results suggest that nizatidine is a useful drug for the treatment of peptic ulcers in man.