Cholinoceptor blockers protect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats

The role of the cholinergic nervous system in ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage has been examined in rats. Oral administration of 50 or 80% ethanol produced haemorrhagic lesions which were reduced by atropine pretreatment (0.65, 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg injected i.p.); there was lesser protection against the higher dose of ethanol. Pirenzepine (a specific M1 receptor antagonist) pretreatment (0.1, 0.2, 1 or 2 mg/kg, injected s.c.) also protected against ethanol-induced gastric injury to a similar extent; it also increased the amount of adherent mucus on the glandular mucosa. This action may, therefore, account for the protective action of the ganglion blocker. It is concluded that ethanol may stimulate the stomach wall ganglionic nicotinic receptors to activate the postganglionic fibres and subsequently the muscarinic receptors which would then trigger off some of the ulcerogenic mechanisms in the stomach. However, ethanol could also produce gastric damage via the non-cholinergic mechanisms; this action becomes more prominent in gastric injury produced by high doses of ethanol.