The features of reserpine-induced gastric mucosal lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To reinvestigate the characteristics of reserpine-induced gastric mucosal lesions (GMLs).


METHODS
The GML-inducing effect of reserpine and the time-course of recovery from reserpine-induced GMLs were examined in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The GML-inducing and blood pressure-decreasing effects of Compound Hypotensive Tablets (CHTs) were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Intracerebroventricular (icv) injection and vagotomy were performed to verify the central vagal mechanism in reserpine-induced GMLs.


RESULTS
Single intraperitoneal (ip) injections of reserpine (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg) dose-dependently induced GMLs in SD rats. Both single and repeated (2 weeks) oral administrations of reserpine led to slight GMLs at doses of 24 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Blood pressure was significantly decreased in SHRs after 2 months of CHT administration (0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg; doses were expressed as the amount of reserpine in the CHT). CHT doses of 0.3 mg/kg induced GMLs, but 0.1 mg/kg did not. Examining the time course of recovery from GMLs, severe GMLs occurred 18 h after ip reserpine (4 mg/kg), obviously lessened at 1 week and healed spontaneously at 3 weeks. Intracerebroventricular injections of reserpine caused GMLs at much lower doses (0.08 and 0.4 mg/kg), and reserpine-induced GMLs were greatly inhibited by vagotomy, suggesting the involvement of a central vagal mechanism.


CONCLUSIONS
Reserpine-induced GMLs were dose-dependent, and the lesions healed spontaneously within 3 weeks. Long-term treatment with CHT at doses adequate to decrease blood pressure will not induce GMLs. A central vagal mechanism was involved in reserpine-induced GMLs.
Ma
Xiu-juan
XJ
Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Lu
Guo-cai
GC
Song
Shu-wei
SW
Liu
Wei
W
Wen
Zhi-peng
ZP
Zheng
Xiang
X
Lü
Qian-zhou
QZ
Su
Ding-feng
DF
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012110:Reserpine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D012110:Reserpine