Effects of capsaicin on the development of gastric mucosal damage by different necrotizing agents and of gastric cytoprotection by PGI2 atropine and cimetidine on rats.

Capsaicin desensitization was used as a tool to reveal the role of neurogenic inflammation in the gastric mucosal lesions induced by intragastric application of four different noxious chemical agents (96% ethanol, 0.6 M HCl, 0.2 M NaOH, 25% NaCl). In capsaicin desensitized rats the number of lesions did not differ from that of the controls one hour after the application. There was, however, a significant reduction in the severity of the mucosal damage. These findings provide the first evidence for the participation of neurogenic inflammation in the gastric mucosal damage induced by aggressive chemicals. Gastrocytoprotection induced by prostacyclin (PGI2, 5 micrograms/kg), atropine (25 micrograms/kg) or cimetidine (2.5 mg/kg) was not inhibited in capsaicin desensitized rats. The number of lesions was not altered, while the severity of damage was more effectively reduced in the desensitized group. These findings indicate that the cytoprotective effect of these drugs is not mediated through capsaicin-sensitive sensory-efferent local tissue reactions.