Effect of rebamipide on H. pylori-associated gastric mucosal injury in Mongolian gerbils.

Helicobacter pylori colonized to gastric mucosa plays an important pathogenic role in gastric mucosal lesions. We previously reported that ethanol pretreatment promotes the extension of H. pylori-associated lesions. The present study was designed to examine the effect of rebamipide, a mucosal protective agent, on H. pylori-associated injury. Male Mongolian gerbils were orally inoculated with H. pylori; 30 min prior to inoculation, 40% ethanol was administered orally to these gerbils (Hp group). Controls were given 40% ethanol with culture medium (control group). Some gerbils in the Hp and control groups were fed rebamipide-containing diets, and the remaining gerbils received laboratory chow diets. H. pylori infection was evaluated by quantitative bacterial culture and histological examination. Although H. pylori was persistently detected and a remarkable mucosal leukocyte infiltration was observed in the Hp groups, the bacteria had disappeared naturally in 67% of the gerbils and mucosal damage was mitigated in the Hp + rebamipide group at four weeks after the inoculation. Collectively, rebamipide might play a role in inhibiting the level of H. pylori colonization and gastric lesion formation in Mongolian gerbils.