GASTRODUODENAL MUCOSAL PROTECTION INDUCED BY DEHYDROLEUCODINE - MUCUSSECRETION AND ROLE OF MONOAMINES

In previous work we have demonstrated that dehydroleucodine (DhL) prev ents gastric damage induced by necrosis-inducing agents such as absolu te ethanol (EtOH), In this study we examine the effects of DhL on gast roduodenal morphology and monoamine levels by histological and biochem ical methods, respectively, as an approach to elucidating the cytoprot ective mechanism of the drug. Histological evidence shows that DhL pre vents formation of gastroduodenal mucosal lesions induced by EtOH and that this protective effect is related to the ability of the drug to s timulate mucus production. DhL itself does not affect the tissue conce ntration of NE, DA and 5-HT. However, it prevents the depletion of DA and 5-HT provoked by EtOH. We propose that the abundant mucoid blanket secreted after treatment with DhL acts as a diffusion barrier against EtOH. It is also possible that DhL could act as a ''cell stabilizer,' ' by inhibiting the degranulation of cells containing monoamines.