ENDOGENOUS ZINC CONCENTRATIONS IN CYSTEAMINE-INDUCED DUODENAL-ULCERS IN THE RAT

Exogenously administered zinc compounds have been shown to possess ant i-ulcer activity against a wide variety of ulcerogenic agents, both in laboratory animal models and in human peptic ulcer disease, However, a strong possibility exists that endogenous zinc may also play an impo rtant role during noxious events by various mechanisms, Therefore, the aim of this study was to focus on the changes of endogenous zinc seru m and tissue concentrations in cysteamine-induced duodenal lesions, We used atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the tissue and serum concentrations of zinc in normal (control) rats and those,vith c ysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers, The results obtained in this study indicated that the onset, development and spontaneous healing of ulcer lesions were associated with certain shifts in zinc serum and tissue concentrations, Prior to ulcer formation, a significant increase was n oted in serum zinc values, With the onset of duodenal lesions, zinc se rum concentrations significantly decreased, while there was a signific ant increase in duodenal tissue concentrations when compared to health y control animals, Zinc tissue concentrations decreased and returned t o starting values by the end of the first week of spontaneous healing, This decrease in zinc tissue concentration corresponded to the healin g rate of the duodenal ulcers, Serum zinc concentrations also returned to starting values within the first week period, These observations i ndicate and confirm that zinc could play an important role in duodenal ulcer disease and represent a natural defense system in the body.