The effect of atropine, cimetidine and FPL 52694 on duodenal ulcers in mice

Abstract

Cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers were compared in rats and mice. Mice were slightly less sensitive to cysteamine ulcerogenesis than rats, but the ulcers were similar in location, histopathology and responses to drugs. Cysteamine treated mice rather than rats are advocated for screening purposes since less test compound is required. Atropine, 3–30 mg/kg orally, reduced the incidence, number, size and severity of duodenal ulcers in both species. Cimetidine, 300–500 mg/kg orally, reduced the size and number of ulcers in rats but was less effective on the incidence and severity of ulcers. 300 mg/kg orally reduced only ulcer size significantly in mice. FPL 52694, 300 mg/kg orally, reduced the incidence, number, size and severity of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers in rats and mice. The anti-ulcer activities of atropine, FPL 52694 and cimetidine are discussed in relation to their gastric anti-secretory actions.