Effects of omeprazole on gastric mucosal microcirculation and acid secretion in the rat

Omeprazole, a potent long-acting inhibitor of gastric acid secretion that exerts its inhibitory action by direct blocking of the H+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase in the parietal cells, was either applied topically to the solution bathing the exposed mucosa of the test rats or administered intravenously as a bolus injection. The superficial mucosal vessels were monitored on a television screen through a microscope and videorecorded for off-line analysis of red cell velocities and vessel diameters, from which blood flow was calculated. Intravenous omeprazole (5 or 10 mumol/kg) totally abolished the basal secretion 15-25 min after injection, with a parallel decrease in blood flow of approximately 25% for both doses. Omeprazole, 5 mumol/kg, given intravenously to rats stimulated with pentagastrin (20 micrograms/kg X h) significantly inhibited the stimulated acid output, but the blood flow was not significantly decreased. Topical application of omeprazole (2.5 mM in 6 ml) significantly increased blood flow (approximately 15%) while in contact with the mucosa both in the resting and in the pentagastrin (20 micrograms/kg X h)-stimulated situations. However, 10-20 min after the application period, blood flow was restored to the values before application of omeprazole and the acid output was significantly decreased. The results indicate that omeprazole exerts only minor influences on the gastric mucosal microcirculation in spite of its potent acid-inhibitory effect.