Effect of Tetraethylammonium Chloride in Experimental Gastric Ulceration in the Rat

Abstract

The effectiveness of tetraethylammonium ion (TEA) in preventing gastric ulceration in the rat was studied. The pylorus of 18 fasting [female] rats was exposed and ligated, and the abdominal incision was then closed. Alternate rats were injected intramusc. with 1 mg. TEA just prior to pyloric ligation and at hourly intervals thereafter. All controls died in less than 8 hrs., and at autopsy almost all showed perforation of the stomach. Of the 9 treated rats, only 4 died, and only 1 of the 4 showed perforation. The stomachs were examined microscopically for ulceration. Six of 7 control rats examined and 5 of 9 TEA-treated rats had large ulcers in the rumen. Three of the 6 controls had more than one large ulcer. Six of the 7 controls also had small ulcers in the rumen and in 4 of these the ulcers were multiple. Four of the 9 treated rats had small ulcers in the rumen, and in 3 of these the ulcers were multiple. One control each had a small ulcer in the body and antrum of the stomach. Three treated rats showed no gastric ulceration, while all controls had ulcerations.