Quantitative Assessment of Mild Stages of Experimental Gastritis in the Rat and the Effects of Several Types of Antiulcer Drugs

Abstract

A novel method was developed to evaluate acute gastric mucosal lesions (AGML) quantitatively in conscious rats. The gastric lumen was continuously irrigated with saline and the number of red blood cells that leaked into the perfusate was determined. Restraint stress caused a slight increase in gastric bleeding. Indomethacin and aspirin, produced significant bleeding from the gastric mucosa. The gastric hemorrhage in response to indomethacin was suppressed by atropine, cimetidine, and dmPGE₂, but worsened by mepyramine. New types of antiulcer drugs, cetraxate and sofalcone were also effective in inhibiting the gastric hemorrhagic amount. It is concluded that this model is useful for studying the pathogenesis of AGML, the effectiveness of drugs on AGML, and the adverse effects of new drugs on the digestive tract.

Key Words:

• Acute gastric mucosal lesions
• gastric hemorrhage
• histamine receptors
• indomethacin
• restraint stress