[Effects of H2 blockers on the spreading of macrophages in vitro].
PURPOSE
To verify if cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine, when inoculated by ip route in mice, do enhance macrophage activation and whether or not such activation is altered with prior use of sodium thioglycolate. KIND OF STUDY: Experimental.


ANIMALS
isogenic, Balb/c mice, 19-21 g.


INTERVENTION
The authors used 8 groups of 10 animals. The mice were treated by ip route with cimetidine (100 mg/kg), ranitidine (62.5 mg/kg), and famotidine (50 mg/kg), and were compared to a control group (saline). The method of spreading of macrophages was applied twenty-four hours after the inoculation. The same procedure was repeated on a later stage in groups submitted to a prior treatment with sodium thioglycolate (15 mg/kg).


EVALUATION
Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney's tests were used.


RESULTS
Inoculation of anti-H2 drugs in the peritoneal cavity of mice significantly enhances the spreading of macrophages independently of the presence of a peritoneal irritant.