Effect of mast cell degranulation on gastric mucosal damage produced by sodium taurocholate in the rat

The source of the histamine released during damage to the gastric mucosa has been investigated in rats using perfused total gastric pouches. Two groups of rats were treated with either intraperitoneal normal saline or compound 48/80, and agent that produces mast cell degranulation, over a 5-day period. On the 5th day, total gastric pouches were prepared and connected to a perfusion circuit that enabled a 20-ml volume to be circulated through the pouches. The experiments consisted of three 30-min periods during which transmucosal potential difference was monitored and ionic (hydrogen and sodium) flux measured; standard acid solution was used in the first two periods and a taurocholate solution in the third. Sodium taurocholate produced a significant increase in ionic flux and fall in the potential difference, the magnitude of the changes being similar in the 48/80- and saline-treated groups. Histamine was released from the mucosa in significantly greater amounts during the taurocholate period, and the increase was similar in both groups of rats. Histological examination of the stomachs confirmed mast cell degranulation in the 48/80-treated groups. We conclude that the histamine released during mucosal damage is probably derived from the "nonmast cell pool" and that this histamine may play a role in mediating the mucosal damage.