Cetraxate hydrochloride (
cetraxate), an anti-
ulcer drug, produces a dose-related increase in mucosal blood flow. Recently, it was found that
capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves play an important role in gastric mucosal defence.
Capsaicin stimulates afferent nerves and enhances the release of
calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and
substance P in the stomach. We studied the effect of
cetraxate on human plasma CGRP and
substance P in healthy subjects.
Cetraxate (800 mg) or placebo were orally administered to five healthy males. Blood samples were taken before, and at 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after administration, followed by the extracting procedure, and submitted to a highly sensitive
enzyme immunoassay system for CGRP and
substance P. Single administration of
cetraxate caused significant increases in plasma CGRP concentration at 60-120 min compared with placebo.
Cetraxate significantly increased plasma
substance P levels at 40-90 min compared with placebo. In this study, we hypothesized that
cetraxate might indirectly stimulate
capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves and increase mucosal blood flow, and that this may be a key mechanism underlying its gastroprotective action.