Protective effect of GABA and sodium valproate on stress-induced gastric lesions in guinea-pigs

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Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and sodium valproate (VPA) inhibit the formation of stress-induced gastric ulcers in guinea-pigs. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of these drugs on the development of cold- and restraint-induced gastric ulcers in guinea-pigs. In control saline-pretreated animals, a 3 h exposure to cold and restriction resulted in the production of gastric ulcers in 9 out of 10 animals. GABA (200 mg kg−1 oral, i.p.) completely prevented the development of gastric ulcers. VPA (100 and 200 mg kg−1 i.p.) exerted no significant effects on the development of gastric ulcers. GABA (100 mg kg−1 oral and i.p.) and VPA (oral) also exhibited partially protective activity. It is suggested that GABA may participate in a physiological modulation of the gastric mucosal barrier, by increasing its resistance to stress-induced lesions.