Studies of the factors that influence acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastric damage in stressed rats.

The ability of H2-receptor antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine, tiotidine) and antimuscarinic agents (atropine and pirenzepine) to prevent gastric damage induced by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was determined in stressed rats. The results obtained were as follows: 1) H2-receptor antagonists were ineffective; 2) antimuscarinic agents significantly reduced the gastric pathology in a dose-related manner. These findings are discussed in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved in the pathogenesis of ASA-induced gastric damage in stressed rats.