Effect of a histamine H2 type receptor antagonist (WY 45, 727) on the healing of gastric ulcers in ponies.

The research paper explores the efficacy of a Histamine-H2 receptor antagonist in healing gastric ulcers in ponies. The findings suggest that the substance may be useful in treating ulcers in the non-glandular portion of the stomach in foals and adult horses.

Experiments and Outcomes

• The study used video gastroscopy to investigate the efficacy of ‘WY 45, 727’ (a Histamine-H2 receptor antagonist) on spontaneous and experimentally induced gastric ulcers in young ponies. Video gastroscopy is a technique for observing the interior of a pony’s stomach using an endoscope (a long, flexible tube with a small camera).
• Oral administration of ‘WY 45, 727’ at doses of 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of body weight every 12 hours for 14 days resulted in complete healing of spontaneous gastric ulcers in the non-glandular portion of the pony stomachs. This occurred in 40% of the ponies treated with the lower dose and 75% of the ponies treated with the higher dose. When compared to placebo-treated ponies, where none showed healing of the ulcers, these improvements were statistically significant (P < 0.05).
• After intramuscular administration of flunixin meglumine (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) at 1.5 mg/kg body weight every 8 hours for 6 days, 50% of the ponies developed ulcers in the non-glandular portion of the stomach.
• When ponies with ulcers, induced by flunixin meglumine, were given ‘WY 45, 727’ at 10 mg/kg body weight every 12 hours for 14 days, 75% showed complete healing. This result was compared with a 20% healing rate in placebo-treated ponies, indicating a significant effect of ‘WY 45, 727’ on healing induced ulcers (P < 0.05).

Indications and Conclusions

• The research indicates that subclinical ulcers may be a common condition in young ponies. A subclinical condition is one that is not severe enough to present definite or readily observable symptoms.
• The result also suggests that the use of flunixin meglumine at the tested dosage can result in ulcers in the non-glandular stomach of ponies. Therefore, its use should be carefully considered and potentially moderated, especially in young ponies.
• Finally, the study concludes that ‘WY 45, 727’, a Histamine-H2 receptor antagonist, could be valuable in the treatment of ulcers in the non-glandular stomach of foals and adult horses. This is based on the significant improvement in healing of the ulcers in ponies that were treated with this substance compared to placebo treatment.