Experimental studies on role of gastric mucosal protective drugs and acid inhibitors in prevention of gastric mucosal lesions induced by alcohol in rats

Objective This study was designed to determine the protective effect of gastric mucosal protective drugs (hydrotalcite or rebamipide),acid inhibitors(famotidine),single and co-administration on gastric mucosal lesions induced by alcohol administration in rats. Methods 70 SD rats were employed in the study and divided into 7 groups:normal control group,injury model group,hydrotalcid group,rebamipide group,famotidine group,hydrotalcid+famotidine co-treatment group,rebamipide+ famotidine co-treatment group. After model of the acute gastric injury in rats induced by alcohol was set up.The index of gastric mucosal injury was evaluated macroscopically.Gastric mucosa structural change were observed under the microscope. Results The pathological change of gastric mucosa which exposed to alcohol were significant. Erosion,bleeding and necrosis of gastric mucosa were observed. The rats in injury model group were found with the most severe gastric mucosal injury,then in the single treatment group a less mucosal injury,in co-treatment group the least mucosal injury ,the mildest gastric mucosal injury was not found in normal control group,there had statistical significance between each group (P0.05). Pathologic change with HE dyeing:no histological damage was observed in the gastric mucosa of normal group,exfoliation and necrosis of superficial cells,structural alterations on the glandular pits,and bleeding erosions developed in all experimental stomachs. The architecture of the crypts was distorted,and the infiltration consisting of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes was observed. Pretreatment with gastric mucosal protective drugs or (and) acid inhibitors reduced exfoliation of superficial cells and lessened the haemorrhage in different degree. It was also well observed that the cooperation between gastric mucosal protective drugs and acid inhibitors protected gastric mucosal. Conclusions Gastric mucosal protective drugs and acid inhibitors play an important protective role in the gastric mucosa in rats. Co-treatment with gastric mucosal protective drugs and acid inhibitors seem to contribute significantly to the gastric protection in this experimental model.