Protection by trimipramine against gastric mucosal barrier dysfunction induced by ethanol + HC1 in rats

The effects of trimipramine (5 mg . kg-1 . h-1 intravenously) on the changes in gastric mucosal function evoked by 20% ethanol + HCl has been stuided in rats. The magnitude of the changes in potential difference, ionic fluxes (H+, Na+, and K+), and mucosal lesion score induced by ethanol + HCl were significantly less in animals treated with trimipramine than in control animals. It is concluded that trimipramine decreases the gastric mucosal damage produced the ethanol + HCl in rats. This activity may be responsible, at least in part, for the beneficial effect of trimipramine treatment in peptic ulcer disease.