Cytoprotective effects of disodium cromoglycate on rat stomach mucosa

The cytoprotective effects of the anti-asthmatic drug, disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), on gastric mucosal necrosis induced by ethanol in rats were studied. Subcutaneous, but not oral, DSCG prevented the formation of gastric lesions and this effect was dose-dependent between 1.25 and 40 mg kg-1, with an ED50 value of 6.8 mg kg-1. Maximal cytoprotection occurred 15-30 min after DSCG treatment. Histological examination revealed that DSCG effectively protected the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced vascular congestion, haemorrhage, epithelial desquamation and mucosal oedema. Enhanced production of endogenous prostaglandins, which are known cytoprotective compounds, could not explain the mucosal protection. At a dose of 40 mg kg-1, DSCG did not change prostaglandin E2 or 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha concentrations in gastric mucosal tissue, although its cytoprotective activity was partially inhibited by prior treatment of the animals with indomethacin.