Efficacy of Rebamipide Maintenance Therapy after Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients with Chronic Gastritis or Gastric Ulcer

Rew, Jong Sun; Joo, Young Eun; Kim, Hyun Soo; Kim, Sei Jong; Na, Hee Sam; Lee, Hyun Chul; Choi, Suck Chei; Nah, Yong Ho; Lee, Soo Teik; Park, Chan Guk; Kim, Man Woo

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of rebamipide maintenance therapy after eradication of H. pylori. Thus, we compared the changes of various inflammatory or local immunologic parameters before and after the therapy.
METHODS
Fifty-two patients with H. pylori-positive gastritis or gastric ulcer received the treatment consisted of omeprazole, amoxacillin and metronidazole for 2 weeks, and randomly divided into two groups. Group I received a six-week supply of ranitidine plus rebamipide (100 mg t.i.d.). Group II received a six-week supply of ranitidine plus teprenone (50 mg t.i.d.). For the two groups, we compared clinical symptoms, status of H. pylori infection, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, and the local secretion of cytokines.
RESULTS
After rebamipide therapy, symptom scores, and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in gastric mucosa were markedly reduced in the both groups (p<0.01). Secretion of proinflammatory cytokine, IL-8, in biopsy specimen was decreased after therapy (p<0.05) in the two groups. Rebamipide increased the production of IL-10 and IL-12 (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Rebamipide therapy after H. pylori eradication is efficacious against various gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammatory responses, and maintains host immunity.