Protection by 2-methyl-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid of serotonin ulcer of the rat stomach

The aim of research is to investigate, in experimentally induced gastric ulcers, if the ulcer formation causes a decrease in stomach of GSH levels and whether the decrease could be counteracted by the administration of stimulators of glutathione synthesis. 2-methyl-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (MTCA) is a GSH protecting agent in various organs, that can be considered a pro-drug of L-cysteine. In the present study we analyzed the degree of ulcer formation by serotonin in rats and the protection afforded by MTCA against ulcer formation as well as the effect on GSH content of gastric wall and mucosa. The oral administration of MTCA induces a significant increase in the GSH content in the stomach wall and mucosa. The injection of serotonin causes a significant decrease in the GSH content of the gastric wall and the mucosa, but the combined treatment of MTCA with serotonin has a weak protective effect. The ulcer protection provided by MTCA does not appear to be related to the GSH levels in the stomach.