Abstract

De-Nol (Brocades) has been introduced as a new treatment for peptic ulcer. It contains tripotassium di-citratobismuthate. The makers claim that the bismuth is held within a citrate complex in a buffer. In the presence of amino acids and proteins, secondary chelates form, which are precipitated in an acid medium. It is claimed that the precipitate coats the surface of the ulcer crater with an insoluble chelate/protein mixture. In vitro experiments show that a heavy precipitate is formed if De-Nol is added to gastric juice, provided the pH remains below 5.0.