The influence of selected cardiovascular and antidiabetic drugs on pepsin activity in vitro digestion.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of selected cardiovascular and antidiabetic drugs on in vitro pepsin activity. A total of 13 drugs were analyzed at one concentration (one tablet of drug in 50 mL of solution with deionized water). The enzyme activity was determined by the Folin method based on the reaction of tyrosine with the Folin reagent. It was found that ACE inhibitors (apo-perindox, prinvil, gopten) caused a significant decrease in the activity of pepsin, while indapen (a diuretic) and glucophage (an antidiabetic drug) increased the activity of this enzyme. It can be concluded that indapamide, metformin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors influenced pepsin activity and these drugs can affect the digestion process in the patients undergoing treatment.