Changes in duodenal mucosal blood flow and mucus glycoprotein content during cysteamine-induced duodenal ulceration in rats

The effects of cysteamine on duodenal mucosal blood flow and duodenal glycoprotein were studied during the development of duodenal ulceration in conscious rats. Cysteamine at an ulcerogenic dose (300 mg/kg s.c.) produced a remarkable decrease of duodenal mucosal blood flow which preceded the appearance of duodenal ulcers. The reduced blood flow was followed by a significant decrease of tissue levels of glycoprotein which also occurred prior to the time when duodenal injury had reached a maximum. Cysteamine was without significant effect on the rate of incorporation of 3H-glucosamine into duodenal glycoprotein at concentrations up to 10(-3) M. These results suggest that the reduction in duodenal mucosal blood flow in response to cysteamine could possibly contribute to a decrease of duodenal glycoprotein and that both may be at least in part responsible for the incidence of duodeno-ulcerogenecity.