The metabolic effects of acute and chronic administration of gastrozepin.
The structure of gastrozepin (G) resembles that of tricyclic antidepressants and antihistaminic and antiserotonic cyproheptadine which are compounds with known metabolic effects. The object of this study was to test the potential action of G on the metabolism of basic nutrients, insulin and selected hormonal parameters after parenteral administration (10 and 20 mg G) and after chronic oral administration (50 mg G) during antiulcer therapy. Investigations carried out in two groups of 7 and 9 healthy volunteers, respectively, and on one group of seven patients with ulcer disease, revealed no changes in any of the blood parameters studied, nor in the excretion of catecholamines or 17-OH steroids in the urine. Our observations practically rule out any metabotropic activity of G, thereby differentiating it from tricyclic antidepressants and cyproheptadine. Isolated significant differences from the basal value seen after G and saline, can be attributed to other than pharmacological or specific mechanisms such as stress associated with the first examination, effect of fasting, individual response of the subjects, and so on.