Effects of GABA on gastric ulcers and gastric mucosal barrier in rats

GABA diminished the number of the gastric ulcers induced by indomethacin sc 20 mg/kg, restraint or pyloric ligation.Pretreatment with GABA 100 mg/kg bid* 5 d lessened the ulcers in the 3 models by 50%,69% and 55%, repectively. The gastric ulcers induced by injecting 0.05 mL of 10% acetic acid into subserosal layer of the glandular stomach were also decreased by half under GABA 100 mg/kg bid* 8 d. GABA stimulated the secretion of gastric mucus and increased the alcian blue binding to the gastric mucosa, which is a marker for meansuring the gastric mucus glycoproteins. GABA enhanced [3H]TdR incorporation into gastric tissues and increased the contents of DNA as well. Since GABA did not influence the volume of gastric juice, acid and pepsin output,it is suggested that GABA protected stomach through enhancing the resistance of the mucus barrier to harmful factor.