Changes in cyclic AMP content of rat gastric mucosa induced by ulcerogenic stimuli--in relation to the antiulcer activity of irsogladine maleate.

Changes in the cyclic AMP (cAMP) content of the gastric mucosa induced by ulcerogenic stimuli were investigated in rats. Ligation of the pylorus for 5 hr produced no glandular mucosal lesion, but increased the cAMP content in the fundus and antrum. Aspirin produced glandular mucosal lesions in the pylorus-ligated rats and caused an increase of the cAMP content in the fundus and a decrease in the antrum. Irsogladine maleate (IM), an antiulcer agent, inhibited both the changes in the cAMP content and the mucosal damage induced by aspirin. IM increased the cAMP content in both regions, especially the antrum, in normal rats. Dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) given orally prevented the gastric mucosal lesions induced by aspirin without affecting gastric secretion. These results suggest that 1) the changes in the cAMP content of the fundus and antrum induced by aspirin may be associated with the formation of glandular mucosal damage, 2) the antiulcer activity of IM may be related to an increase of the cAMP content in mucous cells, and 3) dbcAMP given orally may penetrate into the surface mucous cells and activate defensive functions. Thus, cAMP in the mucous cells may protect the gastric mucosa.