Effects of omeprazole and famotidine on fibroblast growth factor-2 during artificial gastric ulcer healing in humans

Background and aims. Endoscopic mucosal resection is a widely accepted technique for the treatment of early gastric cancers, while large ulcers induced by the treatment should be treated promptly. This study aimed to compare the effects of omeprazole and famotidine on ulcer healing and fibroblast growth factor-2 levels in gastric ulcers induced by endoscopic mucosal resection. Methods. Sixteen patients indicated for endoscopic mucosal resection were enrolled. They were treated by using either omeprazole (n = 8) or famotidine (n = 8) after endoscopic mucosal resection. Endoscopy was performed on days 4, 7 and 28 during each treatment period. Levels of fibroblast growth factor-2 in biopsy specimens were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the time of and after endoscopic mucosal resection. Histological variables were also assessed. Results. Ulcer healing rates under endoscopy were not different between the two treatment groups. In both groups, levels of fibroblast growth factor-2 slightly increased on day 4, but the values were not different at any time point. There were no differences in histological variables on days 4 and 7, but fibromuscular hyperplasia was significantly greater in the omeprazole group than in the famotidine group on day 28 (P<0.05). Conclusions. Omeprazole and famotidine have an equivalent value for the treatment of ulcers induced by endoscopic mucosal resection. While omeprazole had a more potent effect on fibromuscular hyperplasia than did famotidine, such a difference does not seem to be explained by fibroblast growth factor-2.