In this study the efficacy of pivagabine (4-[(2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropyl)amino]butanoic acid, CAS 69542-93-4, Tonerg) in preventing experimental stress ulcer in animals was evaluated. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly subdivided into 2 groups; one group received pivagabine (200 mg/kg orally) and the other tap water. The rats were immobilized in a cold room (2-4 degrees C) for 2 h, and the number and extension of gastric ulcerative and hemorrhagic lesions were evaluated. Pivagabine determined a significant reduction in the number of animals with gastric lesions (5 vs. 10, p < 0.05), in the linear extension of ulcers (2.0 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.2 +/- 1.7 mm, percent protection 72.2, p < 0.05) and in the linear extension of hemorrhages (2.6 +/- 1.0 vs. 10.3 +/- 1.6 mm, percent protection 74.8, p < 0.01). The protective effect of pivagabine on experimental stress-induced ulcers is likely to be mediated by the inhibition of corticotropin releasing factor release from hypothalamus, as also suggested by behavioral studies.