Effects of sucralfate, 15(R)15-methyl prostaglandin E 2, and cimetidine on rat gastric mucosal damage induced by ethanol

Abstract

The efficacy of sucralfate, 15(R)15-methyl prostaglandin E 2, and cimetidine in protecting against ethanol injury in rat stomachs was examined. Rats that had been fasted were pretreated intragastrically with either sucralfate 160 mg/kg, 15(R)15-methyl prostaglandin E 216 μg/kg, cimetidine 100 mg/kg, or an equal amount of vehicle alone (control). One hour later, all rats received 1 ml of 99.5 percent ethanol orally and were killed 15 minutes or 24 hours later. Stomachs were removed, and mucosal damage was assessed macroscopically as well as by scanning electron microscopy. Pretreatment with either 15(R)15-methyl prostaglandin E 2 or sucralfate significantly reduced the number and extent of ethanol-induced mucosal gastric lesions; pretreatment with cimetidine, however, failed to produce positive results. It is concluded that the abilities of 15(R)15-methyl prostaglandin E 2 and sucralfate in protecting against ethanol injury are comparable.