Protection by zinc sulphate against reserpine-induced ulceration and other gastric effects in the rat.

The effects of intraperitoneal pretreatment, 48 h beforehand, with zinc sulphate (22, 44 or 88 mg/kg) were studied on gastric ulceration, gastric secretion and changes in stomach wall mast cell counts induced after 4 h by reserpine (5 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally to intact (unoperated for pylorus occlusion) or pylorus-occluded rats. Zinc sulphate dose-dependently antagonised the gastric actions of reserpine by preventing ulceration in the ruminal and glandular segments of the stomach, reducing acid secretion, and inhibiting mast cell degranulation which occurred mainly in the glandular mucosal layer. The relationship between these findings and the action of zinc on gastric mast cell is discussed.