[Gastroprotective effect of an antacid coating agent in rats. Role of endogenous prostaglandins, capsaicin-sensitive afferents neurons and nitric oxide].

UNLABELLED

The aims of this study were: a) to demonstrate the gastroprotective effect of the antacid and mucosal coating agent Gastralgine (aluminium hydroxide and glycinate, magnesium trisilicate and simeticone) against ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric injury in the rat; b) to investigate whether gastroprotection elicited by this agent involves stimulation of capsaicin sensitive afferent neurons and activation of the nitric oxide system.

METHODS

Rats received intragastrically 2 mL of the antacid or distilled water followed 1 hr later by 2 mL of 100% ethanol ig or 30 mg of indomethacin sc. The surface of ethanol-induced lesions and the length of indomethacin-induced lesions were measured. The role of afferent neurons and endogenous nitric oxide in the prevention of ethanol-induced gastric damage was determined using respectively capsaicin and the inhibitor of nitric oxide biosynthesis, NG-nitro-L-arginine.

RESULTS

The antacid and mucosal coating agent significantly reduced the area of macroscopic lesions induced by ethanol and the length of lesions induced by indomethacin. Both functional ablation of afferent nerves and inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis significantly increased ethanol-induced gastric injury but failed to reverse the gastroprotective effect of the antacid against 100% ethanol.

CONCLUSIONS

The antacid and mucosal coating agent Gastralgine has a gastroprotective effect against ethanol- and indomethacin-induced injury in the rat. This property does not involve stimulation of capsaicin sensitive afferent neurons or synthesis of endogenous nitric oxide.