Thioctic acid protection against ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The gastric protective effect of thioctic acid, a sulfhydryl compound, against chemically induced mucosal lesions has not been reported.


METHODS
Fasted Wistar rats (24 h) were treated (gavage administration) with graded doses of thiotic acid (12.5, 25, 37.5, 50 mg/kg) followed 0.5 h later by the gavage administration of 1 ml 96% ethanol or intraperitoneal administered indomethacin. The gastric mucosa was examined grossly and histologically for an evaluation of the lesions.


RESULTS
Pretreatment of rats with thiotic acid has shown a significant decline in the mean number, size, incidence and severity of mucosal lesions induced by both ethanol and indomethacin.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first evidence that thiotic acid protects the rat gastric mucosa against chemically induced damage. Its is speculated that this finding may prove to be important in the development of improved therapies for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers in humans.
Gutierrez-Cabano
C A
CA
Department of Surgical Pathology II, Faculty of Medical Sciences National University of Rosario, Argentina.
Valenti
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000431:Ethanol; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D007213:Indomethacin