The preventative effect of the antifibrinolytic agents, epsilon-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid, on stress ulcer formation in rats.

The effect of the antifibrinolytic agents, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (t-AMCHA), on acute gastric ulcers induced by cold restraint stress in rats was studied. Intravenous administration of 500 mg/Kg of EACA and t-AMCHA before exposure to stress significantly reduced the severity of gastric bleeding and ulcer formation (P less than 0.01). These agents did not affect gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. The results indicate that antifibrinolytic agents may be beneficial in the prevention of stress ulcers in man and support the concept that local gastric fibrinolysis may play a role in the pathogenesis of stress ulcers.