Changes in gastroduodenal 5-hydroxytryptamine-containing cells induced by dehydroleucodine

In previous work, we demonstrated that dehydroleucodine (DhL), a lactone is olated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser, prevents gastroduodenal damage in duced by absolute ethanol (EtOH), The present study examined the effects of DhL - applied alone or before EtOH - on gastroduodenal cells containing 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), to clarify the mechanism of action of the drug. M ice were divided into four groups: (I) control; (II) DhL; (III) EtOH, and ( IV) DhL + EtOH, Stomachs and duodena were studied by immunohistochemistry a nd image analysis, EtOH decreased the immunopositive cell number and the ar ea occupied by these cells, This effect was prevented by DhL. DhL alone did not affect the gastric immunopositive cell number and area. Duodena treate d only with DhL exhibited a reduction of immunopositive cell number, but no change in area was observed, We propose that the drug probably inhibits th e release of the inflammatory mediator 5-HT from endocrine cells, acting as a 'cell stabilizer' in response to injury. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AS , Basel.