Ethanol Damage to Canine Oxyntic Glandular Mucosa. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The effect of ethanol upon the barrier function of the stomach was studied by irrigating pouches of the canine oxyntic glandular mucosa with solutions of ethanol ranging from 0.5 to 27% w/v. Solutions of 8% or less did not damage the mucosal barrier as judged by the fluxes of Na⁺, K⁺ and H⁺. Solutions of 14 and 27% broke the barrier, for fluxes of the ions across the mucosa were greatly increased during and following ethanol application. In contrast to acetylsalicylic acid which is much more damaging in acid than in neutral solution, ethanol has essentially the same effect upon the barrier when applied in 100 mM HCl or in 30 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.5. The rate of absorption of ethanol is a linear function of its concentration. The damaging effect of ethanol depends upon the concentration in contact with the mucosa and not upon the quantity absorbed. Low concentrations of ethanol (8% or less) stimulate acid secretion. Histamine could not be detected in the arterial or gastric venous blood of anesthetized dogs when the stomach was filled with 8 or 14% ethanol.