Enhanced gastric mucosal damage in rats after chronic treatment with sodium taurocholate

We examined whether or not 4-week treatment with 10 mM sodium taurocholate (TC) weakens the mucosal defensive mechanism in rat stomachs. The ex vivo stomachs of anesthetized animals were perfused with 100 mM HCl. In the control tap water group, mucosal application of 10 mM TC dissolved in 100 mM HCl for 30 min caused a marked increase in gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF), a reduction in transmucosal potential difference (PD), acid loss and visible mucosal damage. In the TC group, however, acidified TC applied for 30 min caused only a slight increase in GMBF, a reduction in PD, significant acid loss and severe mucosal damage. These results indicate that the mucosal defensive mechanism was extensively weakened after chronic treatment with TC.