Therapeutic efficacy of “Omeprazole” in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome
Abstract
Gastric ulcer syndrome most often appears in horses as erosions and ulcers of the squamous gastric mucosa. It is believed that gastric ulcers of various etiologies are determined by the amount of gastric acidity regulated by the secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCL). At the same time, the squamous portion of the stomach is the most sensitive to HCL. When ulcers appear, medical treatment is effective. This medicine includes gastric acid suppressor drugs like “Omeprazole”. The mechanism of action whose final stage is to inhibit HCL secretion at the cellular level. Today the importance of antisecretory therapy is well known in treating gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer diseases in humans. However, the acid-suppressive effect of “Omeprazole” in horses with gastric ulcers requires further research. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy and acid-suppressive effect of the proton pump inhibitor “Omeprazole” in doses of 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg. For this purpose, n = 14 horses were selected for the research with the equine gastric squamous disease of various degrees. Gastric squamous portion were observed by gastroscopy procedure and presented with mild lesions in selected horses. Diagnosis of lesions and determination of therapeutic efficacy of the drug was carried out based on gastroscopy results. The drug was administered per os for 21 days. The intragastric pH value determined the acid-supressive effect of the drug. Collection of the samples was conducted on the 1st, 5th, 10th, and 21st day of the medical therapy. Before “Omeprazole” was administrated, the basal pH level was 3.45 ± 0.23. After the first dose of the “Omeprazole” was administered at 4 mg/kg the average pH value was 5.25 ± 0.34. At the same time, the “Omeprazole” at a dose of 2 mg/kg provides intragastric pH 4.41 ± 0.33. The therapeutic efficacy of “Omeprazole” is closely related to the intragastric pH of the horses. The “Omeprazole” at a dose of 4mg/kg is highly effective in treating squamous lesions grade 2, 3. However, the duration of therapy for 21 days may not be sufficient to achieve complete healing of the affected tissues. Administration of the “Omeprazole” at a dose of 2 mg/kg is effective in treating small or multifocal lesions and hyperemia of the squamous mucosa.
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