FREE OXYGEN RADICALS IN RESTRAINT-INDUCED STRESS GASTRITIS IN THE RAT

In this experimental study, the role of free oxygen radicals (FOR) in stress gastritis (SG) was investigated in a restraint stress model for rats. Allopurinol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and superoxide dismutas e (SOD) were tested as single agents in controlled groups. The portal blood pH values, the ratio of the mucosal erosion area to the gastric mucosal area (EA/MA), the ratio of the depth of mucosal erosions to th e concomitant gastric mucosal wall (ED/MD), and concentrations of malo ndialdehyde (MDA) - a lipid peroxidation coproduct - in the gastric mu cosa were used as parameters in the experiment. The EA/MA between the treated and untreated control groups were found to have no statistical ly significant difference (P > 0.05). ED/MD, a crucial determinant for bleeding probability, was found to be decreased in the SOD group (P < 0.05). SOD, allopurinol, and DMSO reduced the mucosal MDA concentrati on to lower values than the untreated group (P < 0.05). We concluded t hat although FOR may not play a dominant role in stress-induced gastri c lesions, SOD may be a good candidate for a clinical trial on SG prop hylaxis.