Background/Aims: This investigation elucidates the role of free radicals in ethanol-induced gastric mucosal erosion and the protective effect of lipoic acid. Methods: After overnight fasting, Wistar albino rats were orally treated with 1 ml of absolute ethanol to induce gastric erosion. Lipoic acid (100 mg/kg) was given orally for 3 days before ethanol administration. Mucosal damage was evaluated 1 h after ethanol administration by macroscopic examination and histological analysis. Additional tissue samples were taken for measurement of malondialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), and myeloperoxidase activity. Production of reactive oxidants and oxidant-induced DNA fragmentation and Na+,K+-ATPase activity were also assayed in the tissue samples. Results: Generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation associated with neutrophil infiltration play an important role in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal damage induced by ethanol. Furthermore, oxidants depleted tissue GSH stores and impaired membrane structure as Na+,K+-ATPase activity was inhibited. On the other hand, lipoic acid treatment reversed all these biochemical indices as well as the histopathological changes induced by ethanol. Conclusion: These data suggest that lipoic acid administration effectively counteracts the deleterious effect of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury and attenuates gastric damage through its antioxidant effects.

Keywords:
Ethanol, Gastric mucosal injury, Lipoic acid, Lipid peroxidation
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2007
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.