[Action mechanism of sodium polyacrylates against stomach ulcer]

Three sodium polyacrylates (PAS) with different viscosities were examined for antiulcerogenic properties. Rats were fed with sugar containing a PAS for 4 hr and subjected to 12 hr reserpinization or stress by water immersion. Lower incidence of ulceration and larger amount of stomach content after the experiment were found in the PAS administered groups. The higher viscous PAS was more effective in prevention of ulceration and in prolongation of gastric emptying. Intragastric administration of the drugs to pylorus ligated rats reduced forestomach ulceration. However, differences in the antiulcerogenic activity of three drugs were not observed. The effects on the gastric secretion of three PAS (50 mg) were also examined, using pylorus ligated (6 hr) rats. In PAS groups, the free acid in the gastric juice was reduced to some extent. There was, however, no relation between the antiacid effect and viscosity. The drugs inhibited the peptic digestion in vitro, but the difference of viscosity was not related to the antipeptic effect. It is concluded that prolongation of gastric emptying may be a major factor in the antiulcerogenic activity of PAS.