家兔脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射乙酰胆碱对血压和心率的影响

将乙酰胆碱(ACh)注入麻醉家兔脊髓蛛网膜下腔,观察其对心血管活动的影响。结果表明:(1)脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射50～100μg ACh可使血压下降,心率减慢;(2)预先由脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射阿托品,可阻断ACh引起的降压和降心率作用;(3)脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射六甲双铵、酚妥拉明或心得安均不能阻断上述ACh的心血管反应;(4)切断两侧颈部迷走神经,ACh不再使心率减慢,但其降低血压的作用不受到任何影响。 脊髓中ACh水平升高可通过激活胆碱能M-受体引起血压下降和心率减慢。ACh的这种降压作用既没有中枢肾上腺素能受体活动参与,也不是通过迷走神经实现的,可能是由于脊髓交感血管中枢紧张性降低所造成的。     

家兔脑室和脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射5-羟色胺降低动脉血压

本工作将5-羟色胺(5-HT)注入戊巴比妥钠麻醉的家兔侧脑室或脊髓蛛网膜下腔,观察其对心血管活动的影响。结果表明(1)脑室注射100μg 5-HT 有轻度降压作用。(2)脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射100μg 5-HT 可使血压下降29.5±3.4mmHg,作用持续1小时以上。(3)预先由脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射100μg 5-HT 受体阻断剂肉桂硫胺,可防止5-HT 降压作用出现。在注射5-HT 基础上给予肉桂硫胺可使已下降的血压回升。(4)上述实验中均无明显心率改变。(5)给失血性休克家兔脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射100μg 肉桂硫胺可使血压显著回升。实验结果表明:脊髓中5-HT 水平升高可通过激活5-HT 受体引起血压下降。     

P物质在脊髓水平对心血管活动的影响

为阐明起源于延髓,下行达脊髓侧角的P物质(SP)纤维在心血管活动中的作用,我们在乌拉坦麻醉的大鼠上进行了以下实验:(1)在完整大鼠脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射(ith)SP(15nmol/10μl),观察到内脏交感神经放电、心率及平均动脉血压均有明显升高。(2)在颈_1(C_1)横断脊髓的大鼠,ith 相同剂量相同体积的SP 却引起内脏交感神经放电及平均动脉血压轻度下降,心率稍有增加。(3)C_1 横断脊髓的大鼠静脉注射相同剂量的SP 则引起平均动脉血压急速降低及内脏交感神经放电增加,提示SP 在脊髓水平的直接作用系通过抑制交感传出放电而引起血压降低。(4)用ith PS 的1/10剂量、1/5体积给完整大鼠脑池注射(ici),观察到血压及内脏交感神经放电增加,但心率没有变化。 上述结果表明,(1)SP 作用于脑和脊髓,对心血管功能可能有不同的作用。(2)ith SP对完整大鼠心血管功能的作用是多途径的。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植修复大鼠半横断脊髓损伤

目的初步探讨骨髓间充质干细胞诱导为神经细胞,及其移植对大鼠脊髓半横断损伤神经功能恢复和运动的影响。方法贴壁培养法分离培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs),大鼠脊髓匀浆上清诱导第3代向神经细胞分化,经免疫组化鉴定分化后细胞的性质。制备大鼠半横断脊髓损伤模型,脊髓损伤局部注射BrdU标记诱导后的神经细胞。细胞移植5周后观察移植细胞在脊髓内存活分布情况。结果倒置显微镜下可见MSCs呈纺锤形和多角形,有1~2个核仁,经脊髓匀浆上清诱导后,发出数个细长突起,并交织成网,诱导后的细胞表达Nestin,可推测诱导后的细胞为MSCs源神经细胞。5周后移植的MSCs在宿主损伤脊髓内聚集并存活,表达MAP-2、NF、GFAP与对照组比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。大鼠运动功能较移植前有所改善。结论MSCs经脊髓匀浆上清诱导后移植治疗大鼠半横断脊髓损伤可使运动功能得到改善。     

三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后BDNF 的表达及运动功能的影响

目的:探讨三七总皂苷(total panax notoginseng saponins,tPNS)对脊髓半横断损伤后对脑源性神经营养因子(Brain-derivedneurotrophic factor,BDNF)表达以及运动功能恢复的作用的影响。方法:大鼠随机分为正常组和实验组,实验组大鼠脊髓T10右侧半横断模型,损伤后15min,腹腔注射三七总皂苷,剂量为20mg.kg-1,以后每天给药一次,溶媒对照组注射等量生理盐水。术后进行BBB评分和斜板实验检测;动物分别存活1d、3d、7d、14d、28d后,采用免疫荧光化学方法检测脊髓损伤远侧端BDNF表达的变化。结果:BBB评分及斜板实验结果显示,三七总皂苷能明显促进脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复,尤其是损伤后7d和14d,三七总皂苷组评分明显高于溶媒对照组。免疫组化结果显示:脊髓半横断损伤后,损伤远侧端损伤侧BDNF的表达强于对侧,损伤侧BDNF的表达呈现出1d,3d逐渐增强,7d达高峰的趋势,14dBDNF的表达逐渐下降,至28d仍略高于正常组。三七总皂苷组和溶媒对照组相比,BDNF表达的时间趋势相同,但相同时间点BDNF的表达强于对照组,尤其是3d、7d。结论:三七总皂苷能增强脊髓半横断损伤后BDNF的表达,这可能是其改善脊髓再生的微环境,促进脊髓损伤后运动功能恢复的机制之一。     

氯胺酮对单足致炎大鼠脊髓背角神经元活动的影响

在大鼠脊髓背角用细胞外记录技术共记录到３２个单位。角叉菜胶一侧足底注射致炎后,电刺激该侧足底内外侧神经激动其中Ａ、Ｃ纤维时,脊髓背角神经元诱发放电数均显著增加;静脉注射ＮＭＤＡ受体拮抗剂氯胺酮后,Ａ、Ｃ纤维刺激诱发的放电反应均显著下降甚至消失。致炎后脊髓背角深层单位出现Ｗｉｎｄｕｐ现象,静脉注射氯胺酮后该现象减轻消失。结果提示：角叉菜胶致炎导致脊髓背角神经元兴奋性升高和Ｗｉｎｄｕｐ;ＮＭＤＡ受体参     

三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后的保护作用及GFAP相关机制

目的:探讨三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后的保护作用以及对GFAP表达变化的影响.方法:健康成年雌性SD大鼠63只,随机分为正常组,溶媒对照组,三七总皂苷组,大鼠脊髓T10右侧半横断损伤后15min,腹腔注射三七总皂苷,剂量为20mg.kg-1,以后每天给药一次,溶媒对照组注射等量生理盐水.术后1d,3d,7d,14d,21d,28d进行BBB评分行为学检测;动物存活1d、3d、7d、14d、 28d,运用免疫组织化学方法检测脊髓损伤远侧端GFAP表达的变化.结果:BBB评分显示,三七总皂苷能明显促进脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复,其中损伤后7d和14d的评分明显高于溶媒对照组.免疫组化结果显示脊髓T10右侧半横断损伤后.脊髓远侧段 GFAP的表达损伤侧均强于对侧,损伤侧灰质GFAP的表达呈现出1d,3d逐渐增强,7d达高峰的趋势,14dGFAP的表达逐渐下降,至28d仍略高于正常组.三七总皂苷组和溶媒对照组相比,GFAP表达的时间趋势相同,但相同时间点GFAP的表达弱于对照组,尤其是3d、7d.结论:三七总皂苷能抑制脊髓半横断损伤后星形胶质细胞的活化,这可能是其促进脊髓损伤后运动功能恢复的机制之一.     

电针刺激可在大鼠脊髓诱发Fos样蛋白的生成

本研究利用Fos蛋白的免疫组织化学方法首次报道电针“三阴交”穴位可在大鼠脊髓诱发原癌基因c-fos的表达。电针后大量Fos免疫反应(FLI)细胞出现在脊髓腰膨大的背、腹角,但标记最密集区为背角Ⅲ,Ⅳ层。在动物足部注射福尔马林产生的伤害性刺激亦可在脊髓腰膨大背、腹角诱发大量FLI细胞,但以背角Ⅰ,Ⅱ层标记最为密集。因此电针和伤害性刺激引起的脊髓c-fos表达在分布上是不同的。电针诱发的Foc蛋白可能参与针刺镇痛。     

延髓头端腹外侧区在躯体传入冲动抑制中枢性心肌缺血中的作用

电刺激麻醉家免延髓头端腹外侧区(rVLM)能诱发心外膜电图ST段明显抬高。刺激腓深神经能抑制这种反应。P5平面横断脑干、双侧电解损毁中脑中央灰质腹侧部(vPAG)或在双侧rVLM微量注射脑啡肽抗体后,均能明显减弱腓深神经的抑制作用。以上结果提示腓深神经能够抑制由rVLM诱发的心肌缺血反应。腓深神经的这种抑制效应可能有赖于中脑头端以上某些区域脑结构的完整,vPAG可能是这种抑制效应的中枢环节之一,延髓水平的脑啡肽可能参与这种抑制过程。     

猫中缝-脊髓5-羟色胺能和阿片肽能下行抑制系统在抗内脏伤害性反应中作用的比较

在无麻醉的麻痹猫,以伤害性电刺激内脏大神经传入纤维诱发的连续内脏躯体反射放电为指标,分别刺激腓总神经、延髓中缝大核区以及包括导水管周围灰质、中央中核在内的脑区以产生相应的抑制效应。分别全身与脊髓硬膜内给予纳洛酮以及对氯苯丙胺与羟甲丙基甲基麦角酰胺(Methysergide),观察各种抑制效应的变化。发现:(1)静脉注射纳洛酮虽在不少的动物上能暂时地逆转上述效应,但逆转的程度都是不完全的,硬膜内给药也有类似作用;(2)静脉或腹腔内注射对氯苯丙胺一般能较完全而持久地阻断这些抑制效应,但对腓总神经的抑制效应影响较小,硬膜内给药也有相似的效果;(3)羟甲丙基甲基麦角酰胺(静脉或硬膜内注射)主要阻断腓总神经的抑制效应,对中缝大核的抑制效应影响较小。上述结果显示,阿片肽能和5-羟色胺能下行系统均直接参与内脏痛觉传递的延髓中缝-脊髓调节机制,但后者所起的作用可能更大。     

Gastric cytoprotection by pirenzepine is not mediated by catecholamines

The effects of pirenzepine (in a dose of 25.0 mg X kg-1) and atropine (2.5 mg X kg-1) were studied on the development of gastric ulceration produced by pylorus ligation, polymyxin B and absolute ethanol, as well as on the gastric secretory responses and plasma level of noradrenaline. It was found that: (1) pirenzepine significantly decreased the development of ulcer formation produced by pylorus ligation, polymyxin B and absolute ethanol without any antisecretory response; (2) atropine inhibited gastric acid secretion, but no effect was obtained on ulcus produced by pylorus ligation, polymyxin B and absolute ethanol; (3) the plasma level of noradrenaline could be decreased by atropine and pirenzepine, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. It has been concluded that catecholamines are not involved in the gastric cytoprotective mechanism of pirenzepine.     

Implication of gastrin in cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Helicobacter pylori infected gastric ulceration

Gastroduodenal ulcerations have worldwide distribution and the infection with Helicobacter pylori (HP) has been implicated in pathogenesis of this disease. The HP infection is usually accompanied by hypergastrinemia and enhanced generation of prostaglandins (PG), both implicated in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcerations but no study has been undertaken to assess the relationship between the HP infection and coexpression of gastrin and cyclooxygenases (COX), the rate limiting enzymes in the PG production. Since HP infection, usually accompanying peptic ulcerations, results in increased release of gastrin, a potent gastric mitogen that might be capable to induce COX-2 and to generate PG, we decided 1) to compare the seroprevalence of HP and its cytotoxic protein, CagA, in gastric ulcer patients with those in age- and gender-matched controls; 2) to determine the gene expression of gastrin and its receptors (CCK(B)-R) at the margin of gastric ulcer and in the mucosa of antrum and corpus before and after successful eradication of HP, 3) to assess the plasma levels and gastric luminal contents of gastrin before and after HP eradication and 4) to examine the mRNA and enzyme protein expression of COX-1 and COX-2 as well as the PGE2 generation in ulcer margin tissue and gastric antral and fundic mucosa before and after the HP eradication. The trial material included 20 patients with gastric ulcer and 40 age- and gender-matched controls. Anti-HP and anti-CagA IgG seroprevalence was estimated by specific antisera using ELISA tests. Gene expressions of gastrin, CCK(B)-R, COX-1 and COX-2 were examined using RT-PCR with beta-actin as a reference and employing Western blotting for COX-2 expression, while gastrin and PGE2 were measured by RIA. All gastric ulcers were located at smaller curvature within the antral mucosal area. The seroprevalence of HP, especially that expressing CagA, was significantly higher in gastric ulcers (85%) than in controls (62.5%). Both gastrin and CCK(B)-R mRNA were detected by RT-PCR in ulcer margin and gastrin mRNA was overexpressed in remaining antral mucosa, while CCK(B)-R mRNA was overexpressed in fundic mucosa of HP infected patients. Similarly, COX-2 mRNA and protein were found in margin of gastric ulcer and in the HP infected antral and fundic mucosa but not in the mucosa of HP eradicated patients in whom ulcers completely healed and gastrin was expressed only in antrum, CCK(B)-R only in corpus, while COX-1 was detected both in antrum and corpus. HP positive gastric ulcer patients showed about three times higher levels of plasma immunoreactive gastrin and about 50% higher luminal gastrin contents than the HP negative controls and this increased plasma and luminal gastrin was normalized following the HP eradication. A significant fall in gastrin and CCK(B)-R mRNA expression was noticed six weeks after HP eradication in gastric antral and fundic mucosa, while COX-2 mRNA completely disappeared after this treatment. We conclude that 1) HP infected gastric ulcer margin coexpresses gastrin, its receptors (CCK(B)-R), and COX-2; 2) HP infection may be implicated in gastric ulceration via increased release of gastrin that could be responsible for the overexpression of COX-2 that in turn could help ulcer healing through the stimulation of mucosal cell growth, restoration of the glandular structure and angiogenesis in the ulcer area and 3) gastrin produced in HP infected antral mucosa seems to be involved in the induction of COX-2 and PG production by this enzyme and this may contribute to the ulcer healing.     

大鼠脑内5-羟色胺在应激性溃疡形成中的作用

通过神经化学和神经药理学的方法,在大鼠观察了冷冻加束缚应激性溃疡的形成过程中,脑内5-羟色胺(5-HT)的作用。结果如下:1.在应激过程中,脑内5-HT 及其主要代谢产物5-羟吲哚乙酸(5-HIAA)的含量明显升高,特别是5-HIAA 的含量随着应激时间的延长持续上升,说明5-HT 的代谢加快。2.脑内5-HT 或5-HIAA 含量在应激45min 时与溃疡指数呈明显的负相关,而在应激180min 时则与溃疡指数呈明显的正相关。3.侧脑室注射5-HT或其前体5-羟色氨酸(5-HTP),对应激性溃疡的形成呈双重作用,小剂量时减轻而大剂量时加重溃疡的形成。4.腹腔注射5-HT 合成阻断剂对氯苯丙氨酸(pCPA)可降低大鼠脑内5-HT 和5-HIAA 含量,使应激60min 鼠的溃疡形成加重,而使应激180min 鼠的溃疡形成减轻。以上结果提示,在大鼠的冷冻加束缚应激性溃疡的形成过程中,脑内5-HT 起着一定的作用,它很可能在应激早期减轻而在应激晚期加重溃疡的形成。     

A novel method to produce extensive gastric antral ulcer in rats: pharmacological factors involved in the etiology of antral ulceration.

Gastric antral area is the most susceptible region to gastric ulceration in man. However, only limited information is available on animal models. In the present paper, we have developed an improved method for inducing gastric antral ulcers by the administration of 1.0 M HCl after refeeding for 1 h in rats. On day 4, the severe ulcer was found covering extensively the whole area of the antrum, and penetrated through the muscularis mucosae. The incidence of ulceration was 100% and the mean ulcer index was 37.1 +/- 16.6 mm2. In contrast, none of the erosive lesions were observed in the corpus area. Before 24 h, only slight hyperemia was observed in the antral region, suggesting that some submucosal mechanisms are involved in the ulceration processes other than the direct erosive action of HCl on the mucosal surface. Additional treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate (125 mg x kg(-1), s.c.), superoxide dismutase inhibitor, significantly aggravated this antral ulcer, and the ulcer index was 66.0 +/- 13.6 mm2. Allopurinol (50 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) significantly prevented ulcer formation induced by HCl plus DDC. GSH (150 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) also markedly prevented the ulceration. However, DMSO (0.5%, 5 mL x kg(-1), p.o.) was found not to affect ulcer formation. Famotidine (20 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) almost completely inhibited ulcer formation. From the above results, it was concluded that gastric antral ulcer can be induced by the simple treatment of 1.0 M HCl in refed rats, and the antrum has a different defensive mechanism from that in the corpus area. In addition. oxygen derived radicals, especially superoxide anion and endogenous acid secretion were found to be involved in the etiology of the aggravation of the gastric antral ulcer induced by DDC.     

Development and Significance of Cysteamine and Propionitrile Models of Duodenal Ulcer

Cysteamine is widely used in rodents to induce duodenal ulcer. Herein, the pathogenesis of duodenal ulceration in its earliest stages was reviewed using findings from cysteamine-and propionitrile-induced duodenal ulcer in rodent models, especially taking into account changes in the secretion of gastric acid, duodenal and pancreatic bicarbonate as well asgastroduodenal motility. The effect of cysteamine-HCl in inducing ulcers in rats is circadian rhythm-dependent. The effect is greatest from just before the end of diurnal rest to just after the start of nocturnal activity. The chronobiologic effect may be in part due to the circadian rhythm-dependent increased gastric acid production from cysteamine. Titratable acidity was found to be twice as great in the gastric juice of rodents when cysteamine was given by injection at 2000 (just after the start of nocturnal activity) in comparison to when given at 0800 or 1200 (at the beginning or middle span of daily rest). Further studies have shown that adrenalectomy of rats 7 days before cysteamine administration obliterated the observed circadian susceptibility to ulcer formation. Duodenal ulceration, at least in the cysteamine model, appears to be under chronobiologic neuroendocrine control or influence, seemingly mediated by the adrenal glands.     

Study of the damaging effects of acetazolamide on gastric mucosa in rats

The present study demonstrated that acetazolamide (100 and 200 mg/kg, s.c.) induced severe gastric hemorrhagic ulceration in rats. The ulceration was aggravated by oral administration of HCl, but was inhibited by NaHCO3. Furthermore, the severity of ulceration was also decreased by pretreatment with methysergide, chlorpheniramine, or cimetidine. These protective effects were accompanied by an increase in serotonin and histamine released from the stomach. Acetazolamide injection also increased the protein level but reduced the sialic acid content in the gastric secretion, indicating that the gastric mucosal barrier may have been damaged. Prostaglandin E2 content of the gastric mucosa was not affected by the drug; however, carbonic anhydrase activity was markedly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, it is suggested that the ulceration induced by acetazolamide is mainly due to the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase activity and mucus secretion. The increase in serotonin and histamine release also may have been the contributing factors for gastric ulcer formation.     

Novel role of famotidine in downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 during protection of ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer

Gastric ulcer is a multifaceted process including acid secretion, reactive oxygen species generation, prostaglandin inhibition, and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have the ability to cleave and remodel the ECM. We investigated the activity and expression of MMP-9 and -2 in ethanol-induced acute gastric ulceration in rats. We found that severity of gastric ulcer was strongly correlated with increasing doses of ethanol and increased secretion of proMMP-9. ProMMP-9 was upregulated approximately 25-fold at maximum ulcer index. Increased secretion of proMMP-9 was associated with increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. We examined the effect of H(2)-receptor antagonists and antioxidants on proMMP-9 secretion and synthesis during prevention of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. Our data reveal that famotidine dose dependently blocked increased secretion and synthesis of proMMP-9 during gastroprotection and arrested infiltration of inflammatory cells as well as oxidative stress in rat gastric tissues. Similar to H(2)-receptor antagonists, N-acetylcysteine and dimethyl sulfoxide, well-known antioxidants, inhibited proMMP-9 upregulation to the control level. In conclusion, ethanol-induced gastric ulceration is associated with increased expression of proMMP-9 that can be attenuated by H(2)-receptor antagonists and antioxidants. These findings furnish a novel MMP-9-mediated pathway and its inhibition via proinflammatory cytokines by famotidine in ethanol-induced gastric ulceration.     

Curcumin regulates expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases 9 and 2 during prevention and healing of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are suggested to play a critical role in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling during inflammation and wound healing processes. However, the role of MMPs in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer and its healing process are not clearly understood. This study is aimed at determining the regulation of MMP-9 and -2 activities in indomethacin-induced acute gastric ulceration and healing. Indomethacin-ulcerated stomach extracts exhibit significant up-regulation of pro-MMP-9 (92 kDa) activity and moderate reduction of MMP-2 activity, which strongly correlate with indomethacin dose and severity of ulcer. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin, an active component of turmeric, suggest that curcumin may exert antiulcer activity through scavenging reactive oxygen species, by regulating MMP activity, or both. To test these possibilities, the effect of curcumin in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer is examined by biochemical and histological methods. The results show that curcumin exhibits potent antiulcer activity in acute ulcer in rat model by preventing glutathione depletion, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation. Denudation of epithelial cells during damage of gastric lumen is reversed by curcumin through re-epithelialization. Furthermore, both oral and intraperitoneal administration of curcumin blocks gastric ulceration in a dose-dependent manner. It accelerates the healing process and protects gastric ulcer through attenuation of MMP-9 activity and amelioration of MMP-2 activity. Omeprazole, an established antiulcer drug does not inhibit MMP-9 while protecting indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. We conclude that antiulcer activity of curcumin is primarily attributed to MMP-9 inhibition, one of the major path-ways of ulcer healing.     

Effects of tandamine and pirandamine,selective blockers of biogenic amine uptake mechanisms,on gastric acid secretion and ulcer formation in the rat

Tandamine and pirandamine and various structurally-related compounds, which were known to inhibit the norepinephrine and/or serotonin uptake mechanisms, lack central anticholinergic activity and differ chemically from the known tricyclic antidepressant drugs, were examined for their effects on gastric acid secretion and ulcer formation in the rat. Tandamine and its structurally-related compounds, but not pirandamine or its structurally-related compound, given intraperitoneally, inhibited gastric acid secretion and were similar in activity to imipramine. Like imipramine, tandamine was effective when given perorally. None of the compounds examined, administered intraperitoneally, were effective in reducing the ulcer formation in 19 h pylorus-ligated animals, while imipramine was effective. Tandamine, like imipramine, inhibited ulcer formation in 10 h pylorus-ligated animals and in 19 h pylorus-ligated animals when given in divided doses. Tandamine and its structurally-related compounds, but not pirandamine or its structurally-related compound, given subcutaneously, prevented reserpine-induced gastric ulceration; imipramine was also effective. Tandamine and imipramine, administered intraperitoneally, prevented cold-restraint gastric ulceration. The compounds which block the norepinephrine, or in addition the serotonin, uptake mecahnism, but not those which block only the serotonin uptake mechanism, inhibited the gastric acid secretion and reserpine-induced ulceration. Thus, these latter activities appear to be correlated with the inhibition of the norepinephrine, rather than serotonin uptake mechanism.     

Attenuation of stress-induced gastric lesions by lansoprazole, PD-136450 and ranitidine in rats

Combining restraint with cold temperature (4°C) consistently induces gastric ulceration in rats after 3.5 h. The cold restraint-stress (CRS) method provides a suitable model for acute ulcer investigations. This study compares the antiulcer activities of lansoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor), PD-136450 (CCK(2)/gastrin receptor antagonist) and ranitidine (histamine H(2) receptor antagonist) on CRS-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The results have shown that lansoprazole, which is a potent anti-secretory agent, provides complete protection in this model of ulcer formation. The use of indomethacin pretreatment to inhibit the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and N(G)-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) pretreatment to inhibit nitric oxide synthase did not alter the lansoprazole-induced inhibition of ulcer index obtained in the untreated Wistar rats indicating that these two systems were not involved in the activation of lansoprazole. PD-136450, an effective anti-secretory agent against gastrin- but not dimaprit-induced stimulation, evoked a dose-dependent inhibition of CRS-induced gastric ulcers. The results show that both PG and nitric oxide pathways can influence the inhibitory effect of PD-136450 against CRS-induced gastric ulcer. The antiulcer activities of both lansoprazole and PD-136450 were compared to that of ranitidine. The results showed that ranitidine was more potent than lansoprazole and PD-136450 in inhibiting CRS-induced gastric ulcers and its effect was shown to be influenced by PG as well as nitric oxide synthase. The results of this study have demonstrated that although lansoprazole, PD-136450 and ranitidine were protective against CRS-induced gastric ulcers, the antiulcer activities of PD-136450 and ranitidine involved both PG and nitric oxide pathways, while lansoprazole acted independently of these two systems during CRS.