Nz. Canturk et al., The protective effect of vitamin E on gastric mucosal injury in rats with cirrhosis of the liver, CHIN MED J, 112(1), 1999, pp. 56-60
Objective To evaluate the functional and morphologic features of stomach in
liver cirrhosis model and the cytoprotective effects of Vitamin E.
Methods Experimental cirrhosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous administ
ration of 0.4 mi CCl4(diluted 1:4 with olive oil) per kilogram of body weig
ht twice a week for 12 weeks. Rats were divided into three groups. Group 1
was control. Group 2 consisted cirrhotic rats induced by CCl4 and Group 3 c
irrhotic rats treated with Vitamin E (intramuscularly 100 mg/kg per day dur
ing study). At the end of 12 weeks, gastric mucosal injury was produced by
instillation of absolute alcohol via an orogastric tube. After 3 hours, eac
h animal was sacrificed. The stomachs were macroscopically, microscopically
and biochemically analyzed.
Results Macroscopic and microscopic area of gastric mucosal injury were sig
nificantly larger in cirrhotic rats (P < 0.05). Gastric mucosal injury was
more serious in cirrhotic rats as compared with Group 1. With vitamin E tre
atment, tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione [GSH (X)] levels were
significantly lower in group 3 as compared with group 2 (P < 0.001).
Conclusion Gastric mucosa in cirrhotic rats has distinctive histological an
d functional abnormalities. These abnormalities can be reversed by Vitamin
E or other antioxidants.