Effect of sucralfate on gastric emptying and mucus under stress in rats

The effect of sucralfate on gastric emptying, gastric mucus production, and ulcer formation in cold-restraint rats was studied. The rats were treated with sucralfate in doses of 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. Sucralfate prevented ulcer formation dose dependently. This effect was maximum at doses of 500 mg/kg (P < 0.001). Administration of sucralfate lowered the increased gastric emptying rate and increased gastric mucus production. This effect was not dose dependent. It was found that the ulcer-preventive effect of sucralfate was due to a lowered gastric emptying rate and increased mucus production in addition to other mechanisms.