Effect of midazolam on gastric secretion and stress-induced gastric ulceration in male albino rats

Abstract

The term ‘benzodiazepine’ refers to a distinct chemical structure. Benzodiazepines are now used for testing acute anxiety states, and also as a premedication before surgery. Although diazepam is the prototype of benzodiazepine, midazolam is more potent. As peptic ulcers are now being diagnosed more often in school children, and because preanaesthetic management is difficult for children, the use of preoperative sedatives may help to diminish anxiety, minimize psychological trauma and improve the quality of anaesthesia. Midazolam is often used as a preoperative sedative, and during procedures such as endoscopy, where anaesthesia is not required. There is no available data about the effect of various doses of midazolam on gastric secretion and on restraint-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to study the effect of 0.5, 1 and 2.5 mg/kg of midazolam on gastric secretion and on immobilization-induced gastric stress ulcers in rats. This study was conducted on 48 rats, divided into two big categories, each consisting of 24 rats, which were further divided into four groups, each group consisting of six rats. Administration of midazolam in doses of 0.5 and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal to pyloric-ligated rats led to a significant decrease in gastric juice volume, acid concentration and the total acid output compared with the control group, which received normal saline. Midazolam administration in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg led to a significant increase in the gastric juice volume, and a significant decrease in the acid concentration and the total acid output compared with the control group. Our results concluded that midazolam administration in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg to children as a prophylactic dose during preanaesthetic medication leads to prevention of aspiration pneumonia, morbidity and mortality of children during endoscopies and elective surgical operations. Restraint-induced stress ulcers approach the ideal technique for ulcer production and testing of antiulcer agents. Our results showed that intraperitoneal administration of midazolam in doses of 0.5, 1 and 2.5 mg/kg to rats in a dose-dependent manner leads to a prophylactic effect against stress-induced gastric ulcers with a protection index of 9.4, 23.8 and 32.2%, respectively. The mechanism of prophylaxis is due to its sedative, anxiolytic and antisecretory effect.