The protective effect of vitamin E on gastric mucosal injury in rats with cirrhosis of the liver.

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 administration of 0.4 ml CCl4 (diluted 1:4 with olive oil) per kilogram of body weight 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 cirrhotic rats treated with Vitamin E (intramuscularly 100 mg/kg per day during study). At the end of 12 weeks, gastric mucosal injury was produced by instillation of absolute alcohol via an orogastric tube. After 3 hours, each animal was sacrificed. The stomachs were macroscopically, microscopically and biochemically analyzed.

RESULTS

Macroscopic and microscopic area of gastric mucosal injury were significantly larger in cirrhotic rats (P < 0.05). Gastric mucosal injury was more serious in cirrhotic rats as compared with Group 1. With vitamin E treatment, 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 and functional abnormalities. These abnormalities can be reversed by Vitamin E or other antioxidants.