Choi and colleagues designed a study to determine the effect of ranitidine on changes in gastric mucosa and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding among long distance runners.

Overall, 24 long distance runners (Males: 16; age: 18.2 +/- 1.5 years) were enroled in the study. Participants completed a symptom questionnaire and underwent stool Hemoccult test and upper GI endoscopy before the study. They were given oral ranitidine (150 mg b.i.d.) for a period of two weeks. Upper GI endoscopy and stool Hemoccult tests were done again after treatment.

• Twenty two of the 24 participants had at least one upper GI mucosal lesion prior to the treatment.
• Improvements were seen on endoscopy in 11 out of the 14 cases with erosive gastritis and 4 out of the 5 cases having esophagitis.
• Six participants were Hemoccult positive before the treatment was started. Only one was found to be positive after treatment.

It appears that gastric mucosal lesions and GI bleeding in long distance runners are linked with acid-related factors and ranitidine could be an effective drug to prevent it.

Source: Choi SJ, Kim YS, Chae JR, et al. Effects of ranitidine for exercise induced gastric mucosal changes and bleeding. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Apr 28;12(16):2579-83.