INFLUENCE OF H2-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS TO LIVER BLOOD FLOW IN RAT

It was performed to make sure the influence of histamine H2-receptor antagonists to the liver blood flow, particulary in the rat carrying severe liver damage, because these reagents have been used preferably in the therapy of gastrointestinal bleeding accompanied with severe liver damage. According to hydrogen gas clearance method, an administration of cimetidine (4.0mg/kg) or ranitidine (1.0mg/kg) to the control rat did not induce the reduction of liver blood flow, but a large dose such as 16.0mg/kg of cimetidine or 4.0mg/kg of ranitidine reduced this flow significantly. On the other hand, in the rat carrying d-galactosamine induced severe liver damage, the liver blood flow decreased even in the low dose of cimetidine or ranitidine, and was impaired much more in the administration of large dose of these drugs. In conclusion, histamine H2-receptor antagonists should be administrated with care particularly in the case with severe liver disease.