Some Properties of Mucus in Patients with Gastric Ulcer Effect of Treatment with Carbenoxolone Sodium

Abstract

In gastric ulcer patients the free, bound, and total N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) fractions of gastric juice were shown to be reduced significantly as compared to control subjects. During four weeks of treatment with carbenoxolone sodium, NANA contents increased above normal values. As sialic acids are known to be essential constituents of gastric glycoproteins which serve as a protective coat, it is suggested that the stimulative effect of carbenoxolone on NANA production may contribute to the increased rate of healing of peptic ulcer in patients treated with the drug. In the present study no statistically relevant evidence was obtained of carben-oxolone-induced changes in Alcian blue binding capacity, acid production, peptic activity, or protein content of gastric juice.