THE EFFECT OF A NEW ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUG, HETERONIUM BROMIDE, ON BASAL GASTRIC SECRETION.

Abstract

p HARMACOLOGISTS AND CLINICIANS have long recognized the desirability of a drug which would inhibit gastric secretion and motility while producing a nlinimum of other anticholinergic effects such as dryness of the mouth, urinary hesitancy, and blurring vision. Although the ideal compound has not been and may never be found, many new drugs have been developed in the hope that they will, at least in part, have selective activity. Recently a potent new anticholinergic drug, heteronium bromide,* has been shown to possess marked antisecretory and antimotor effects. Heteroniurn-~ as the bromide, dl- (I-methyl-3-pyrrolinyl) -a-phenyl-a- (2thienyl) glycolate methobromide, is a white, crystalline solid that is very soluble in water and alcohol. The structural formula is shown in Fig. 1. The effects of heteronium bromide on gastric acid secretion in rats and dogs in which pyloric ligation has been done was carefully evaluated by Lim a The study in rats was carried out according to the method described by Shay et al. At a dose of 20 mg./kg, administered orally, heteronium bromide and atropine sulfate were compared to a placebo. Heteronium bromide significantly inhibited both the vohune of secretion and free hydrochloric acid output. Atropine sulfate significantly inhibited the volume but did not significantly affect free hydrochloric acid output. The effect of heteronium bromide on meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion in dogs was also studied. The method of the study and the dogs' reFrom the Lilly Laboratory for Clinical Research, the Gastro-Intestinal Clinic, Marion County General Hospital, and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind. The authors express their appreciation to the staff of the Lilly Laboratories for Clinical Research; the nursing staff, for their careful collection of samples; Mr. Jacque Ferguson for the meticulous analysis of the samples; and the medical staff, Mrs. Nellita Sumner. and Mrs. Hilda Banks, for their help and cooperation in this study. *Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Ind. tThe generic name heteronium has recently been assigned to the active principle in heteroninm bromide. There is 0.8 rag. of heteronium in I rug. of heteronimn bromide.