The effect of cimetidine on stress ulcers.

We used 135 male Wistar rats. Stress ulcers were formed with standard methods of restraints and cold. The severity of the ulcer was graded from 0--3 and determined for each group. Ulcers occurred in the glandular portion of the stomach. Pre- and post-treatment with cimetidine was compared with controls and pre-treatment with saline or antacid. Cimetidine was significantly more effective in preventing stress-induced ulcers in rats when instilled in the stomach before the stress than either antacid or saline.