The protective effect of vitamin E on gastric mucosal injury in ratswith 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.