Effect of clotiazepam on gastric mucosal lesions produced by conditioned emotional stimuli in mice

The anti-ulcer action of clotiazepam (a thienodiazepine derivative) was studied in mice subjected to non-physical and physical stimuli in a communication box. There were two groups of mice: the "sender" mice that received electric shocks on the feet and responded by squealing and jumping, and the "responder" mice that were affected by the senders' responses without receiving shocks on the feet. Gastric ulcers resulted in both groups. The effect of clotiazepam was compared with that of diazepam. The incidence of gastric ulcers was suppressed by clotiazepam at a dose of 3 mg/kg, per os, in "responder" and "sender" mice, and by diazepam at a dose of 1 mg/kg, per os, in "responder" mice. These results suggest that clotiazepam has a suppressive action against gastric ulcers produced by non-physical or physical stimuli, although its potency is slightly weaker than that of diazepam.