The cytoprotective effect of the desamino-D-Trp 7-10 fragment of somatostatin on ethanol-induced erosions in the rat stomach.

The concept of cytoprotection was established by Robert. It means that several materials of different structure and in doses which are not antisecretoric ones, can protect the gastric mucosa against exogenous noxous agents. Absolute ethanol causes haemorrhagic erosions on the rat gastric mucosa. Somatostatin (SRIF) and its 7-10 fragment, which is the active centre of the hormone were cytoprotective in the ethanol-induced cytoprotective model. The desamino-D-Trp fragment (a suspected enzyme resistant variant of the active centre of SRIF) is also protective. It decreases significantly the extension of the lesions. Its dose-response curve shows two peaks, which may correspond to the existence of two SRIF receptor types, described in the rat gastric mucosa.