ULCER-PROTECTING EFFECTS OF NARINGENIN ON GASTRIC-LESIONS INDUCED BY ETHANOL IN RAT - ROLE OF ENDOGENOUS PROSTAGLANDINS

This study was designed to determine the cytoprotective properties of naringenin and the involvement of endogenous prostaglandins on mucosal injury produced by absolute ethanol. Gastric glands were also histolo gically analysed. Oral pretreatment with the highest dose of naringeni n (200 mg kg(-1)), 240 min before absolute ethanol, was the most effec tive in ulcer prevention. Subcutaneous administration of indomethacin (10 mg kg(-1) to the animals treated with naringenin (200 mg kg(-1)) p artially inhibited the gastric protection but there was no increase in prostaglandin E(2). All treated groups showed a marked increase in ga stric mucus, although this increase was less in animals pretreated wit h indomethacin. Total proteins and hexosamine content decreased in the groups receiving indomethacin. Histomorphometric evaluation of the ga stric damage, with the highest dose of naringenin (200 mg kg(-1)), con firmed a significant increase of mucus production accompanied by a par allel reduction of gastric lesion.