Comparison of potential cytoprotective action of sucralfate and cimetidine. Studies with experimental feline esophagitis.

Overview

The potential mucosal protective effects of a liquid sucralfate preparation and the histamine (H2)-antagonist cimetidine on acid-induced esophagitis were studied. Esophagitis was induced in adult cats using a constant infusion of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid at 1 ml/minute for 20 minutes. Mucosal lesions were evaluated by blinded investigators using both fiber-optic endoscopy and light microscopy. Histology was scored for basal cell hyperplasia, intraepithelial leukocytosis, and subepithelial leukocytosis. Liquid sucralfate given prior to acid infusion consistently prevented acid-induced lesions, demonstrated by quantitative histologic scoring. Although cimetidine did not show the same degree of protection as sucralfate, the results did show a trend towards a cytoprotective effect.