Gefarnate increases PAS positive cell density in rabbit conjunctiva.

AIMS The effects of three drugs for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer--gefarnate, ecabet sodium, and troxipide--on periodic acid Schiff (PAS) positive cell density in rabbit conjunctiva in vivo were investigated. METHODS Eye drops containing gefarnate (0.1%, 1%), ecabet sodium (0.1%, 1%), or troxipide (0.1%, 1%) were instilled in both eyes of rabbits, six times a day for 7 days. On the eighth day, filter paper was gently pressed on the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, and impression cytology was performed with PAS staining. Three points in each specimen were selected randomly, and PAS stained cells were counted. RESULTS The instillation of gefarnate increased PAS positive cell density significantly at the concentration of 1% (p < 0.05). In contrast, instillation of ecabet sodium or troxipide failed to change PAS positive cell density. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated that gefarnate stimulates PAS positive cell density in rabbit conjunctiva.