Mechanism of intragastric nicotine protection against ethanol-induced gastric injury

To elucidate the mechanism of intragastric nicotine protection against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury seen in a previous report and in our preliminary study, the following studies were performed. Rats were pretreated with naloxone (8 mg/kg intraperitoneal, 0.5 hr prior to study) to block opiate receptors; or capsaicin (125 mg/kg subcutaneous 10 days prior to study) to denervate the afferent sensory fibers; or indomethacin (2.5 mg/kg intragastric or 5 mg/kg subcutaneous, 1 hr prior to study) to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin synthesis. At 1-hr intervals, nicotine (4 mg/kg) or vehicle and 40% ethanol were then given intragastrically. Total gastric corpus mucosal lesion length was measured unbiasedly. In separate studies, gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) was assessed by hydrogen gas clearance before and after intragastric nicotine or vehicle; luminal mucus volume, gastric juice volume, and acid output were measured 1 hr after either intragastric nicotine or vehicle administration. The results showed that the acute protective effect of intragastric nicotine was associated with a significantly larger luminal mucus volume. It was not blocked by naloxone, capsaicin, or indomethacin. There was no increase in GMBF. The larger gastric residual volume did not account for the protection. We conclude that the mechanism mediating nicotine protection is unique and is independent of opiate receptors, capsaicin-sensitife afferent sensory nerve fibers, endogenous prostaglandin generation, or dilution of the injurious agent. The increase in luminal gastric mucus volume may contribute to the protective effect of intragastric nicotine against gastric mucosal injury produced by 40% ethanol.     

褪黑激素对应激性溃疡大鼠胃黏膜诱生型一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

背景胃黏膜诱生型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)的过度表达在应激性溃疡的发生中起重要作用。目的研究褪黑激素(MT)对水浸鄄束缚应激大鼠胃黏膜iNOS表达的影响及其对胃黏膜的保护作用,以进一步阐明MT的作用机制。方法正常对照组不予水浸鄄束缚应激和MT预防,模型组和MT低剂量预防组、MT高剂量预防组于应激前30min分别腹腔注射含1%二甲基亚砜(DMSO)或MT5mg/kg、20mg/kg的等体积生理盐水。应激6h后处死动物,检测各组大鼠胃黏膜一氧化氮(NO)水平、iNOS蛋白和iNOSmRNA的表达,并评估胃黏膜损伤程度。结果水浸鄄束缚应激6h后,大鼠胃黏膜NO水平、iNOS蛋白和iNOSmRNA表达显著增加,胃黏膜病变明显。MT预防组大鼠胃黏膜NO水平、iNOS蛋白和iNOSmRNA表达均显著低于模型组(P<0.01),且溃疡指数(UI)显著下降(P<0.01)。MT高剂量预防组大鼠各检测指标均显著低于MT低剂量预防组(P<0.05),作用呈剂量依赖性。结论MT可预防水浸鄄束缚应激诱导的大鼠胃黏膜损伤,其机制可能与其抑制胃黏膜iNOS过度表达有关。     

Mitigation of indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions by a potent specific type Ⅴ phosphodiesterase inhibitor

AIM: To investigate the gastroprotective effect of vardenafil against indomethacin-induced gastric damage.METHODS: Forty-eight female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received saline only. Group 2 (indomethacin) received indomethacin.Rats in group 3 and 4 were pretreated with different doses of famotidine. Group 5 and 6 were pretreated with different doses of vardenafil. Rats in groups 3 to 6 received 25 mg/kg indomethacin 30 min after pretreatment. The animals were sacrificed 6 h later and their stomachs were opened. Gastric lesions were counted and measured. The stomach of each animal was divided in two parts for histopathological examinations and nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays, respectively.RESULTS: There were no gastric mucosal lesion in the saline group but all rats in the indomethacin group had gastric mucosal ulcerations (ulcer count; 6.25 ± 3.49,and mean ulcer area; 21.00 ± 12.35). Ulcer counts were diminished with famotidine 5 mg/kg (4.12 ± 2.47, P > 0.05), 20 mg/kg (2.37 ± 4.43, P < 0.05), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (4.37 ± 3.06), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (1.25 ± 1.38, P < 0.05) compared to the indomethacin group.Gastric mucosal lesion areas were diminished with famotidine 5 mg/kg (8.62 ± 2.97, P < 0.001), famotidine 20 mg/kg (0.94 ± 2.06, P < 0.001), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (6.62 ± 5.87, P < 0.001), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (0.75 ± 0.88, P < 0.001) compared to the indomethacin group. MDA levels were significantly higher in indomethacin group (28.48 ± 14.51), compared to the famotidine 5 mg/kg (6,21 ± 1.88, P < 0.05), famotidine 20 mg/kg (5.88 ± 1.60. P < 0.05), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (15.87 ± 3.93, P < 0.05), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (10.97 ± 4.50,P < 0.05). NO concentration in gastric tissues of the famotidine groups were significantly increased ( P < 0.05),but the NO increases in the vardenafil groups were not statistically significant. Histopathology revealed diminished gastric damage for pretreatment groups compared to the indomethacin group ( P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Vardenafil affords a significant dosedependent protection against indomethacin induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats.     

Roles of nocturnal melatonin and the pineal gland in modulation of water-immersion restraint stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats

The roles of melatonin and the pineal gland in the circadian variation of water-immersion restraint stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats were investigated. Fasted rats were subjected to water-immersion restraint stress during both the diurnal and nocturnal phases of a light:dark cycle. Pinealectomized and sham-operated rats were also subjected to water-immersion restraint stress at night. The lesion area after 4 hr of stress during the dark phase was significantly lower than in light-phase controls. Pinealectomy increased the lesion area in the dark phase, compared to the sham operation, but this effect was counteracted by intracisternal melatonin preadministration at a dose of 100 ng/rat. Melatonin concentrations in control rats during the light phase were significantly increased 4 hr after water-immersion restraint stress. In contrast, melatonin concentrations 4 hr after water-immersion restraint stress in the dark phase were significantly depressed compared with the control levels at the corresponding time. Melatonin levels after stress exposure were markedly decreased in pinealectomized rats as compared with sham-operated rats. These results suggest that circadian rhythm has an important role in the formation of stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats and that melatonin responses to water-immersion restraint stress differ between day and night. The pineal gland modulates the stress response and melatonin contributes to gastric protection via a mechanism involving the central nervous system.     

Gastric Mucosal Protection by Aegle Marmelos Against Gastric Mucosal Damage: Role of Enterochromaffin Cell and Serotonin

Background/Aims:

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) released from enterochromaffin (EC) cells in gastric mucosa inhibits gastric acidity by increasing the gastric mucus secretion. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos (AM) ripe fruit pulp (250 mg/kg body weight) on mean ulcer index (MUI), EC cells, 5-HT content, and adherent mucosal thickness of ulcerated gastric tissue in adult albino rats.

Material and Methods:

Ulceration was induced by using aspirin (500 mg/kg, p.o.), cerebellar nodular lesion and applying cold-restraint stress.

Results:

In all cases increased MUI in gastric tissue along with decreased EC cell count was observed with concomitant decrease of 5-HT content and adherent mucosal thickness (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with AM for 14 days decreased MUI, increased EC cell count, and 5-HT content as well as adherent mucosal thickness in all ulcerated group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

AM produces gastric mucosal protection mediated by increased EC cell count and 5-HT levels.     

Mitigation of indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions by a potent specific type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor

AIM: To investigate the gastroprotective effect of vardenafil against indomethacin-induced gastric damage.METHODS: Forty-eight female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received saline only. Group 2 (indomethacin) received indomethacin.Rats in group 3 and 4 were pretreated with different doses of famotidine. Group 5 and 6 were pretreated with different doses of vardenafil. Rats in groups 3 to 6 received 25 mg/kg indomethacin 30 min after pretreatment. The animals were sacrificed 6 h later and their stomachs were opened. Gastric lesions were counted and measured. The stomach of each animal was divided in two parts for histopathological examinations and nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays, respectively.RESULTS: There were no gastric mucosal lesion in the saline group but all rats in the indomethacin group had gastric mucosal ulcerations (ulcer count; 6.25 ± 3.49,and mean ulcer area; 21.00 ± 12.35). Ulcer counts were diminished with famotidine 5 mg/kg (4.12 ± 2.47, P > 0.05), 20 mg/kg (2.37 ± 4.43, P < 0.05), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (4.37 ± 3.06), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (1.25 ± 1.38, P < 0.05) compared to the indomethacin group.Gastric mucosal lesion areas were diminished with famotidine 5 mg/kg (8.62 ± 2.97, P < 0.001), famotidine 20 mg/kg (0.94 ± 2.06, P < 0.001), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (6.62 ± 5.87, P < 0.001), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (0.75 ± 0.88, P < 0.001) compared to the indomethacin group. MDA levels were significantly higher in indomethacin group (28.48 ± 14.51), compared to the famotidine 5 mg/kg (6,21 ± 1.88, P < 0.05), famotidine 20 mg/kg (5.88 ± 1.60. P < 0.05), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (15.87 ± 3.93, P < 0.05), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (10.97 ± 4.50,P < 0.05). NO concentration in gastric tissues of the famotidine groups were significantly increased ( P < 0.05),but the NO increases in the vardenafil groups were not statistically significant. Histopathology revealed diminished gastric damage for pretreatment groups compared to the indomethacin group ( P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Vardenafil affords a significant dosedependent protection against indomethacin induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats.     

Mitigation of indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions by a potent specific type Ⅴ phosphodiesterase inhibitor

AIM: To investigate the gastroprotective effect of vardenafil against indomethacin-induced gastric damage.METHODS: Forty-eight female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received saline only. Group 2 (indomethacin) received indomethacin.Rats in group 3 and 4 were pretreated with different doses of famotidine. Group 5 and 6 were pretreated with different doses of vardenafil. Rats in groups 3 to 6 received 25 mg/kg indomethacin 30 min after pretreatment. The animals were sacrificed 6 h later and their stomachs were opened. Gastric lesions were counted and measured. The stomach of each animal was divided in two parts for histopathological examinations and nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays, respectively.RESULTS: There were no gastric mucosal lesion in the saline group but all rats in the indomethacin group had gastric mucosal ulcerations (ulcer count; 6.25 ± 3.49,and mean ulcer area; 21.00 ± 12.35). Ulcer counts were diminished with famotidine 5 mg/kg (4.12 ± 2.47, P > 0.05), 20 mg/kg (2.37 ± 4.43, P < 0.05), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (4.37 ± 3.06), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (1.25 ± 1.38, P < 0.05) compared to the indomethacin group.Gastric mucosal lesion areas were diminished with famotidine 5 mg/kg (8.62 ± 2.97, P < 0.001), famotidine 20 mg/kg (0.94 ± 2.06, P < 0.001), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (6.62 ± 5.87, P < 0.001), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (0.75 ± 0.88, P < 0.001) compared to the indomethacin group. MDA levels were significantly higher in indomethacin group (28.48 ± 14.51), compared to the famotidine 5 mg/kg (6,21 ± 1.88, P < 0.05), famotidine 20 mg/kg (5.88 ± 1.60. P < 0.05), vardenafil 2 mg/kg (15.87 ± 3.93, P < 0.05), and vardenafil 10 mg/kg (10.97 ± 4.50,P < 0.05). NO concentration in gastric tissues of the famotidine groups were significantly increased ( P < 0.05),but the NO increases in the vardenafil groups were not statistically significant. Histopathology revealed diminished gastric damage for pretreatment groups compared to the indomethacin group ( P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Vardenafil affords a significant dosedependent protection against indomethacin induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats.     

Effect of carbenoxolone sodium on aspirin-induced injury of the rat gastric mucosa

Investigations were performed in the rat to examine the effect of carbenoxolone sodium on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury. Mucosal damage was quantitated histologically in the body of the stomach (corpus) after a single dose of aspirin and after 2 weeks of daily aspirin. Over dosage ranges of 2–30 mg/kg/day of carbenoxolone and 10–120 mg/kg of aspirin, carbenoxolone treatment conferred no protection, despite evidence of a significant carbenoxolone effect on gastric mucus. This contrasts with the known protective action of carbenoxolone against injury by restraint stress and by corticosteroids. Much current evidence suggests that the mechanisms of erosion production by aspirin differ from those by restraint stress and corticosteroids, and it is likely that the present findings reflect such differences in pathogenesis.     

Protection against alcohol-induced gastric mucosal injury by geranylgeranylacetone: effect of indomethacin

The mechanism of gastric mucosal protection by an antiulcer agent, geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), against ethanol-induced injury was investigated. The experiments were conducted with groups of rats with and without intraperitoneal indomethacin pretreatment. Animals received intragastrically either a dose of GGA (200 mg/kg) or a vehicle, followed 30 min later by 1 ml of absolute ethanol. The rats were sacrificed after 30 min and the gastric mucosa was subjected to macroscopic and histologic assessment and the measurements of adherent mucus, its dimension and chemical composition. In the absence of GGA, ethanol produced advanced macroscopic necrosis (greater than 38%) and the extensive necrotic lesions were visible upon histologic examination. Pretreatment with GGA significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) the extent and depth of mucosal necrotic lesions caused by ethanol, and this protection was not thwarted by indomethacin. Evaluation of the adherent mucus and its dimension by Alcian blue uptake and inverted microscope technique revealed that GGA was also capable of preventing the untoward effect of indomethacin on the adherent gastric mucus gel and its thickness. Results of chemical analyses established that in the absence of GGA indomethacin caused an increase in mucus protein (15%) and a decrease in its covalently bound fatty acids (67%) and lipids (36%). The decrease in lipids was particularly reflected in the content of phospholipids. Indomethacin, however, had no apparent effect on the composition of gastric mucus elaborated in the presence of GGA. The results suggest that gastric mucosal protective action of GGA is not mediated by endogenous prostaglandins but rather appears to involve the metabolism of mucosal lipids.     

Effect of cilostazol, a selective type-III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on water-immersion stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats

Background Cilostazol, a specific type-III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, is widely used for the treatment of ischemic symptoms of peripheral vascular disease. Recent studies have reported that the mechanism of cilostazol is related to the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and improvement of local microcirculation disturbances. The pathogenesis of stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions is characterized by the activation of inflammatory cells and the production of inflammatory cytokines. The effects of cilostazol on the development of gastric mucosal lesions have not been reported. In the present study, we examined the effect of a cilostazol on water-immersion stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions. Methods Rats were subjected to water-immersion stress with or without pretreatment with a single intraperitoneal injection of the selective type-III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, cilostazol. We measured the gastric mucosal lesion and the concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (GRO/CINC-1), as an index of neutrophil accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Results Cilostazol ameliorated the gastric mucosal injury induced by water-immersion stress (P < 0.001). The gastric contents of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CRO/CINC-1 were all increased after water-immersion stress and were reduced to almost normal levels by cilostazol. Conclusions In this study, we demonstrated that a selective type-III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, cilostazol, inhibited stress-induced gastric inflammation and damage via suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cilostazol may be useful for preventing gastric mucosal lesions.     

Effects of NC-1300-B,A new benzimidazole derivative,on hog gastric H+, K+-ATPase,gastric acid secretion and HCl-ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats

This study was designed to determine the effect of a newly synthesized benzimidazole derivative NC-1300-B on H⁺,K⁺ -ATPase (proton pump) in the hog gastric mucosa and on the basal gastric acid secretion and necrotizing agent-induced gastric lesions in rats. NC-1300-B inhibited the proton pump in a concentration-dependent manner and concentrations which inhibited the enzyme activity by 50% were 4.4×10^–6 M at pH 6.0 and 3.1 ×10^–5 M at pH 7.4. NC-1300-B administered orally or intraperitoneally 0.5 hr before ligating the pylorus inhibited the gastric acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The ED₅₀ values (doses which inhibit acid output or lesion formation by 50%) for acid secretion were 11.5 and 11.0 mg/kg with oral and intraperitoneal administration, respectively. The antisecretory effect in a dose of 100 mg/kg persisted for up to 72 hr. NC-1300-B administered orally or intraperitoneally 0.5 hr before HCl-ethanol administration protected against damage of the gastric mucosa in a dose-dependent manner. The ED₅₀ values for lesion formation were 13.3 and 23.0 mg/kg with oral and intraperitoneal administration, respectively. This protection with an oral dose of 100 mg/kg persisted for up to 72 hr. While pretreatment with 5 mg/kg of indomethacin given subcutaneously did not appreciably reverse the NC-1300-B protection, the pretreatment with 10 mg/kg of N-ethylmaleimide given subcutaneously potently reversed the NC-1300-B protection. NC-1300-B administered intragastrically at 30 mg/kg significantly inhibited the amplitude of gastric contraction for 50 min after intragastric administration. These effects of NC-1300-B on gastric secretion and lesion formation are much the same as those of the established proton pump inhibitor omeprazole, except for the short duration of the action of omeprazole (<24 hr).     

Gastroprotective Effects of DA-6034, a New Flavonoid Derivative, in Various Gastric Mucosal Damage Models

This study evaluated the gastroprotective activity of DA-6034 against various ulcerogens including ethanol, aspirin, indomethacin, stress, and acetic acid. The basic mechanisms of DA-6034 as a defensive factor such as mucus secretion and endogenous prostaglandin E₂ synthesis were determined. Rats with gastric lesions induced by ethanol-HCl, aspirin, indomethacin, and stress that had been pretreated with DA-6034 orally showed a statistically significant decrease or decreasing tendency of the gastric lesion. In acetic acid-induced gastric lesions, repeated oral administration of DA-6034 exhibited a U-shape activity in ulcer healing, with the maximum and minimum inhibition being observed at 30 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively. DA-6034 also increased the mucus content in the gel layer as well as endogenous prostaglandin E₂ synthesis. These results suggest that DA-6034 prevents gastric mucosal injury, and these gastroprotective activities appear to be due to the increase in the gastric defensive systems.     

Intragastric nicotine protection against 40% ethanol injury in rat stomach

Intragastric nicotine (4 mg/kg) protects against 40% ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury and raises mean blood pressure. We postulated that this protective effect was mediated by the ganglionic stimulatory property of nicotine and therefore could be abolished by ganglionic blockers. Rats were pretreated with intraperitoneal hexamethonium (10 mg/kg) or mecamylamine (2 mg/kg) to block peripheral or central autonomic ganglia, respectively. Intragastric vehicle or nicotine (4 mg/kg) was then administered. The total lengths of the linear gastric corpus mucosal lesions induced by intragastric 40% ethanol were measured by an unbiased observer using a caliper. The results showed that both intraperitoneal hexamethonium and mecamylamine pretreatments protected against 40% ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury. Neither modified the protective effect of intragastric nicotine. The protective effect of hexamethonium and mecamylamine was associated with a significant increase in the volume of gastric mucus and gastric juice. The increase in the volume of gastric content (mucus and juice) was partially responsible for the protective effect of these ganglionic blockers. In a separate experiment, intraperitoneal nicotine (4 mg/kg) also protected against 40% ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury and raised mean blood pressure. These data indicate that the protection against 40% ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury is not unique to intragastric nicotine. Such protection can be induced by ganglionic blocking doses of hexamethonium and mecamylamine, or a ganglionic stimulatory dose of intraperitoneally administered nicotine. Whether ganglionic stimulation or blockade plays a role in the mechanism of intragastric nicotine protection, however, remains to be determined. Further studies of the regulation of gastric mucus production and gastric juice volume may shed light on the mechanism of protection afforded by intragastric nicotine.Supported by Veterans Administration Medical Research Funds, and in part by research grants (0162-01, 0162-02 and 0291-01) from the Smokeless Tobacco Research Council, Inc., and by funds (IRT 80) provided by the Cigarette and Tobacco Surtax Fund of the State of California through the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program of the University of California to F.W.L. Dr. Endoh is a recipient of the University of California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program Research Fellowship Award (FT 37).     

Effect of vitamin E and selenium on hypothermic restraint stress and chemically-induced ulcers

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of a combination of selenium and vitamin E on stress and chemical-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The gastric mucosal lesions were produced by hypothermic restraint stress, indomethacin, reserpine, and mucosal damaging agents including 80% ethanol, 0.6 M HCl, 25% NaCl, and 0.2 M NaOH. The gastric secretion studies were undertaken using Shay's pylorus ligation model. The results of this study demonstrated that the treatment of rats with selenium or vitamin E significantly reduced the basal gastric acid secretions when given individually; however, the combination of these agents produced a better inhibition of gastric acid secretions as compared to their individual effect. Both selenium and vitamin E were found to protect gastric mucosa against the lesions produced by hypothermic restraint stress and chemicals, but a highly significant protection was observed when they were used concomitantly. Vitamin E alone and with selenium significantly inhibited ethanol-induced depletion of gastric nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds. Our findings also showed that the combination of selenium and vitamin E provided better protection to gastric mucosa against hypothermic restraint-induced gastric wall mucus depletion. This study clearly suggests the feasibility of using selenium and vitamin E concurrently to achieve better gastroprotective effects.     

Rocket ＂Eruca sativa＂： A salad herb with potential gastric anti-ulcer activity

AIM： To validate gastric anti-ulcer properties of Rocket ＂Eruca sativa＂ on experimentally-induced gastric secretion and ulceration in albino rats. METHODS： Gastric acid secretion studies were undertaken using pylorus-ligated rats. Gastric lesions in the rats were induced by noxious chemicals including ethanol, strong alkalis, indomethacin and hypothermic restraint stress. The levels of gastric wall mucus （GWM）, nonprotein sulfhydryls （NP-SH） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were also measured in the glandular stomach of rats following ethanol administration. The gastric tissue was also examined histologically. The extract was used in two doses （250 and 500 mg/kg body weight） in all experiments. RESULTS： In pylorus-ligated Shay rats, the ethanolic extract of Rocket ＂Eruca sativa L.＂ （EER） significantly and dose-dependently reduced the basal gastric acid secretion, titratable acidity and ruminal ulceration. Rocket extract significantly attenuated gastric ulceration induced by necrotizing agents （80% ethanol, 0.2 mol/L NaOH, 25% NaCl）, indomethacin and hypothermic restraint stress. The anti-ulcer effect was further confirmed histologically. On the other hand, the extract significantly replenished GWM and NP-SH levels, as well as the MDA level significantly reduced by extract pretreatment. CONCLUSION： Rocket extract possesses antisecretory, cytoprotective, and anti-ulcer activities against experimentally-induced gastric lesions. The anti-ulcer effect is possibly through prostaglandinmediated activity and/or through its anti-secretory and antioxidant properties.     

Gastric motility is an important factor in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats

Effects of atropine, cimetidine, and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E₂ (16,16-dmPGE₂) on indomethacin-induced gastric lesions were investigated in rats by correlating their effects on gastric acid and HCO^}-₃ secretion and motility. Subcutaneously administered indomethacin (25 mg/kg) produced gastric mucosal lesions within 4 hr. In parallel studies, an equivalent dose of indomethacin inhibited gastric HCO^}-₃ secretion, and stimulated gastric motor activity measured as intraluminal pressure recordings, whereas acid secretion was unaffected. The lesions induced by indomethacin were significantly prevented by three agents: cimetidine (100 mg/kg), which reduced acid secretion; atropine (1 mg/kg), which reduced acid secretion and gastric motility; and 16,16-dmPGE₂ (10 g/kg), which reduced acid secretion and motility and increased gastric HCO^– ₃ secretion. If acid (150 mM HCl) was infused into the stomach (1.2 ml/hr) during indomethacin treatment, only the latter two agents significantly prevented the formation of gastric lesions in response to indomethacin. Since only the effect on gastric motility was common to these two agents (atropine and 16,16-dmPGE₂), the increased gastric motility may be an important pathogenetic factor in indomethacin-induced gastric lesions. The presence of acid as well as a deficiency of endogenous PGs may be prerequisite for later extension of the lesions but cannot account for the induction of mucosal lesions in rats following administration of indomethacin.     

Mechanism of intragastric tetramethylammonium protection against 40% ethanol injury in rat stomach

The effect of tetramethylammonium (TMA), a ganglionic stimulant, on gastric mucosal injury induced by 40% ethanol was examined. In studies I–III, rats were treated with intragastric vehicle or TMA (1 or 10 mg/kg). In study I, 1 hr after the treatment, 40% ethanol was given intragastrically. The length of the linear corpus mucosal lesions was measured unbiasedly with a caliper after another hour. In study II, mean blood pressure was assessed before and after the treatment. In study III, 1 hr after the treatment, gastric mucus and juice volumes, and titratable acid were measured. In study IV, 40% ethanol (10 ml/kg) was administered intragastrically immediately after 0.2 or 1.4 ml of intragastric vehicle treatment. One hour later, gastric lesion score was assessed as in study I. Results show that (1) intragastric TMA dose-dependently protected against 40% ethanol-induced gastric injury; (2) neither dose of intragastric TMA increased mean blood pressure; (3) there was a dose-related increase in gastric mucus secretion for TMA 1 and 10 mg/kg, and a significant increase in gastric juice volume only for TMA 10 mg/kg; and (4) the rats treated with 1.4. ml of vehicle plus 40% ethanol had significantly less injury than those treated with 0.2 ml of vehicle plus 40% ethanol. We conclude that the protective effect of intragastric TMA can be explained by its dose-related effect in enhancing gastric mucus secretion for TMA 1 and 10 mg/kg and the significantly greater increase in gastric juice volume for TMA 10 mg/kg. Even though parenteral TMA is a recognized ganglionic stimulant, the protective effect of intragastric TMA is unlikely to be due to its ganglionic stimulatory property, as neither 1 nor 10 mg/kg intragastric TMA increases mean blood pressure. However, the possibility that intragastric TMA acts as a local stimulant of intramural ganglia cannot be excluded.Supported by Veterans Administration Medical Research Funds, and in part by research grants (0162-01, 02 and 291-01) from the Smokeless Tobacco Research Council, Inc., and by funds (1RT 80) provided by the Cigarette and Tobacco Surtax Fund of the State of California through the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program of the University of California to F.W.L. Dr. Endoh is a recipient of the University of California Tabocco-Related Disease Research Program Research Fellow-ship Award (FT 37).     

Effects of FK506, an immunosuppressive agent,on genesis of water-immersion stress-induced gastric lesions in rats

We examined the effects of FK506, an immunosuppressive agent, on the genesis of water immersion stress-induced gastric lesions in rats. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, four kinds of prostaglandins, ie, 6-keto-prostaglandin F₁, prostaglandin F₂, prostaglandin E₂, and prostaglandin D₂, were detected, and no leukotrienes were detected in gastric mucosa in rats without stress. After 6 hr of stress, gastric lesions developed with decreases in all prostaglandin contents, and the emergence of peptide leukotrienes was observed. Intramuscular administration of FK506 (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) reduced lesion index dose-dependently. Administration of FK506 at doses over 0.25 mg/kg decreased all prostaglandin contents, but did not affect the increase in leukotriene contents. Pretreatment with famotidine or omeprazole reduced lesion index, and the protective effects were equivalent to those of 1.0 mg/kg of FK506, although FK506 did not affect gastric secretion during water-immersion stress. Water-immersion stress did not change the activities of xanthine oxidase in either stomach or serum. Polyoxyethylenemodified superoxide dismutase did not prevent gastric lesions. Water-immersion stress significantly increased myeloperoxidase activity in gastric mucosa, and FK506 reduced the increase in myeloperoxidase activity induced by stress. From our results, other factors besides gastric acid secretion and tissue eicosanoid contents, such as chemoattractant factor, might also be involved in the genesis of water-immersion stress-induced gastric lesions in rats.     

Comparative mucosal protective properties of misoprostol,cimetidine, and sucralfate

Misoprostol, a PGE₁ derivative that inhibits gastric acid secretion in rats, was compared with cimetidine and sucralfate in several rat experimental ulcer models. Gastric lesions were produced by aspirin, indomethacin, stress, sodium taurocholate, and ethanol. In all tests, misoprostol (50, 100, and 200 μg/kg) and cimetidine and sucralfate (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were administered intragastrically. Misoprostol protected against gastric lesions in all five experimental ulcer models at lower than gastric antisecretory doses. Cimetidine protected in the indomethacin, aspirin, and stress models, but only at gastric antisecretory doses, and did not protect against lesion formation in the ethanol and taurocholate models. Sucralfate, over the dose range tested, was not consistently protective in any of the five experimental ulcer models. It is concluded that misoprostol provides gastric mucosal protection against a wide variety of noxious agents by means of a unique mechanism and that reduction of gastric acid secretion is not required, as it is with cimetidine, for the protective effect.     

Role of leukotrienes in acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol,taurocholate, aspirin,platelet-activating factor and stress in rats

This study was designed to determine the role of leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) in the formation of acute gastric lesions induced by 100% ethanol, acidified taurocholate (TC), acidified aspirin (ASA), platelet-activating factor (PAF), and water-immersion and restraint stress. Exogenous LTC₄ alone administered in gradually increasing doses (5–20g/kg/hr) caused only mild hemorrhagic lesions in the gastric mucosa but when combined with 100% ethanol, acidified TC, acidified ASA, or stress, it increased significantly the mean lesion area and lesion number as compared to those produced by these ulcerogens alone. FPL 55712, a LTC₄ antagonist, given orally (2.5–10 mg/kg) reduced dose-dependently the extent of gastric lesions in all experimental models used and completely prevented the deleterious effects of exogenous LTC₄ on gastric mucosa. PAF augmented the mucosal lesions induced by 100% ethanol, and this was also reduced by the pretreatment with FPL 55712. FPL 55712-induced gastroprotection against various ulcerogens was reversed, in part, by indomethacin, indicating that it could be attributed not only to the LTC₄ antagonism but also to increased biosynthesis of PGs. This study provides evidence that LTC₄ is involved in the formation of acute gastric damage and the antagonism of LTC₄ may protect the mucosa against various ulcerogens.