Effect of a gel formulation of sucralfate on gastric microcirculation.

Dyspeptic patients (n = 12) with endoscopic signs of chronic gastritis were treated orally for 28 days with a new gel formulation of sucralfate at a dose of 1 g twice daily. Before and after treatment, gastric blood flow was assessed during endoscopy by means of laser Doppler flowmetry. The sucralfate gel promoted a significant increase (P < 0.001) in blood perfusion in all patients, restoring normal levels of gastric microcirculation. The results are consistent with observations in animals, suggesting that the mechanisms responsible for the gastroprotective and therapeutic properties of sucralfate include enhancement of mucosal blood flow.