Effects of zinc acexamate on blood flow and prostanoid levels in the gastric mucosa of the rat.

The effects of the new antiulcer compound zinc acexamate on blood flow and prostanoid levels in the gastric mucosa have been studied. Zinc acexamate (30 and 300 mg/kg) dose-dependently prevents the reduction induced by the perfusion of noradrenaline (3.5 micrograms/kg.min, 30 min) in gastric mucosal blood flow, as measured by 3H-aniline clearance. Zinc acexamate pretreatment also increases the levels of prostaglandin E2 in the gastric mucosa of the rat, both under control conditions and after infusion with noradrenaline. The levels of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin were not modified by zinc acexamate. These results confirm the importance of microcirculation in pathogenesis and the idea that the antiulcer activity of zinc acexamate is due in part to its action in increasing the mechanism which defend the gastric mucosa against aggression.