Protective effects of sucralfate and omeprazole on gastric mucosal damage induced by ethanol in rats

Studies on the protective effect of omeprazole, a proton-pump inhibitor, against damage to the rat gastric mucosa induced by strong irritants, are few and contradictory. We have investigated the protective effects of omeprazole and sucralfate against gastric mucosal damage induced by ethanol in rats. The study was performed on 4 groups of 10 rats each. Group A received omeprazole 7 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 7 days. Group B received an equivalent volume of 0.9% sodium chloride i.p. for 7 days, while no drugs were given to groups C and D. After 1 week, following 24 hours of fasting, group A received omeprazole 7 mg/kg, group B received an equivalent volume of 0.9% sodium chloride group C received omeprazole 7 mg/kg i.p. and group D received sucralfate, 100 mg/kg intragastrically (i.g.). 4 hours after groups A, B and C received the last medication and 30 minutes after group D received sucralfate, ethanol 95% was given i.g. All rats were sacrificed 1 hour after ethanol application and their stomachs were removed for macroscopic and microscopic examination. It was found that sucralfate was effective in preventing gastric lesions induced by ethanol. There was a significant difference between the sucralfate group and the other group (p < 0.001). Omeprazole was ineffective in preventing gastric lesions, either given as a single dose or after administration for 7 days. Our results indicate that sucralfate has a protective effect on gastric lesions induced by ethanol and omeprazole applied i.p. has no protective effect.