Abstract

The effects of Vitamins C & E on Aspirin - induced gastric mucosal damage on gastric ulcer parameters and stomach oxidative stress markers were determined in acute and sub-acute studies in Wistar rats. Aspirin produced a significant (p<0.05) increase in gastric ulcer score in both studies. Vitamins C & E conferred protection in acute and sub-acute studies with preventive indices of 54 and 60% respectively. Histologically the gastric mucosa of animals in the sub-acute study showed a severe necrosis of the epithelial cells than observed in the acute study. Acute aspirin administration did not increase the stomach tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA) but sub-acute administration significantly (p<0.05) increased MDA, while vitamins C & E caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease below the level seen in normal controls. Aspirin in both studies significantly decreased Catalase activity. While acute aspirin exposure had no effect on Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, sub-acute exposure raised it significantly (p<0.05). Administration of Vitamins C and E significantly increased SOD activity only in the acute study. Aspirin significantly decreased reduced Glutathione (GSH) in both studies and was reversed by Vitamin C and E. The level of GSH reductase (GSHRD) in the acute study was significantly decreased by aspirin but sub-acutely and prior treatment with vitamins C and E had no significant effect. Combine administration of vitamins C & E prior to intake of aspirin significantly prevented aspirin-induced gastric ulceration with decrease in some oxidative stress markers.

Keywords:

Acetylsalicylic acid, antioxidants, free radicals, gastric ulcer,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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