Cholecystokinin-8 protects gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced lesions in rats

Subcutaneous administration of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8, 10-100 micrograms/kg) reduces in a dose-dependent manner gastric lesions induced by 96% ethanol in rats, and CCK-4, CCK-7, and the CCK-8 nonsulfated form (all up to 100 micrograms/kg sc) were inactive. The presence of the entire molecule and sulfation of the tyrosine in position 2 are necessary for the mucosal protective properties of CCK-8 against 96% ethanol-induced gastric lesions. These effects are probably at least in part, due to a sulfhydryl-sensitive process.