Anti-ulcer effects of chitin and chitosan, healthy foods, in rats

In this study, we compared the effects of low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan (MW: 25,000-50,000), high molecular weight (HMW) chitosan (MW: 500,000-1000,000) and chitin on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury and on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Oral administration of LMW chitosan (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) dose-dependently prevented ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury. Repeated oral administration of LMW chitosan (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg twice daily) also dose-dependently accelerated the gastric ulcer healing. However, the effects of HMW chitosan and chitin on the gastric mucosal injury formation and the gastric ulcer healing were less potent than those of LMW chitosan. LMW chitosan (250 and 500 mg/kg, orally) was ineffective in inhibiting gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats, although it had a weak acid-neutralizing action. LMW-chitosan (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg orally) dose-dependently prevented the decrease in gastric mucus content induced by ethanol. These results indicate that of the three compounds, LMW chitosan has the most potent gastric cytoprotective and ulcer healing-promoting actions. In addition, gastric mucus-increasing action of LMW-chitosan may be, at least in part, related to the anti-ulcer effect of this compound.     

Effects of the new anti-ulcer agent 12-sulfodehydroabietic acid monosodium salt on healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats

The macroscopic and microscopic effects of 12-sulfodehydroabietic acid monosodium salt (TA-2711, CAS 86408-72-2) on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats were compared with those of sucralfate and carbenoxolone. Test compounds were given orally twice a day for 10 consecutive days from the day after the injury with glacial acetic acid. TA-2711 (50 and 100 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased the macroscopic ulcer index (mm2). In addition, at a dose of 100 mg/kg, this drug decreased the length of mucosal defect in the ulcerated region and increased the mucosal regeneration index estimated by microscopic observation. Furthermore, the mucosa surrounding the ulcerated area and the regenerated epithelium in the TA-2711 administered group contained more PAS (periodic acid-Schiff)-positive material than those in the control group. On the other hand, neither sucralfate nor carbenoxolone (100 mg/kg) showed any significant effects on ulcer healing.     

Effects of the new anti-ulcer agent KB-5492 on experimental gastric mucosal lesions and gastric mucosal defensive factors, as compared to those of teprenone and cimetidine.

Effects of KB-5492, a new anti-ulcer agent, on various experimental gastric mucosal lesions and mucosal defensive factors in rats were compared with those of teprenone and cimetidine. KB-5492 administered orally at 12.5-200 mg/kg inhibited water-immersion stress- and indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in a dose-dependent manner with ED50 values of 46 and 27 mg/kg, respectively, indicating that KB-5492 was more potent than teprenone but less potent than cimetidine. KB-5492, administered orally at 12.5-100 mg/kg, also inhibited ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in a dose-dependent manner with an ED50 of 23 mg/kg, so KB-5492 was 3 times more potent than teprenone, whereas cimetidine produced no obvious inhibition. In addition, KB-5492, administered orally at 25 and 50 mg/kg twice daily for 10 consecutive days, significantly accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers more potently than teprenone and cimetidine. KB-5492 at anti-ulcer doses significantly increased gastric mucosal blood flow in normal anesthetized rats and inhibited the reduction of gastric mucosal hexosamine content induced by aspirin, but did not affect gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. These results indicate that KB-5492 has potent and broad anti-ulcer properties, which are probably exerted by its enhancement of gastric mucosal defensive factors through increasing gastric mucosal blood flow and/or retaining gastric mucus, and not by its inhibition of gastric acid secretion.     

Effects of 15(R)-15-methyl prostaglandin E2 (arbaprostil) on gastric secretion and various gastric lesions induced in rats

We studied the effects of 15(R)-15-methyl prostaglandin E2 (arbaprostil) on gastric secretion and various acute and chronic gastric lesions produced in rats. Arbaprostil significantly inhibited gastric secretion in 4 hr-pylorus-ligated preparations when given intraduodenally in a dose of 30 or 100 micrograms/kg. The agent, however, significantly stimulated gastric secretion of rats with either a ligated or intact pylorus when given orally in doses of 3-100 micrograms/kg. Orally administered arbaprostil dose-dependently prevented the development of HCI-ethanol-, histamine-, water-immersion stress-, or indomethacin-induced gastric erosions. Intraduodenally administered arbaprostil also dose-dependently prevented the development of aspirin-induced gastric erosions in pylorus-ligated rats. Arbaprostil, given orally in doses of 1-100 micrograms/kg twice daily for 2 weeks, had little or no effect on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. However, oral administration of the agent in a dose of 3 or 10 micrograms/kg twice daily for 4 weeks significantly accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. The increase in doses up to 100 micrograms/kg twice daily for 4 weeks had no effect on ulcer healing. These results indicate that arbaprostil, at either antisecretory or even acid stimulating doses, is effective in preventing the development of acute gastric erosions and in accelerating the healing of chronic gastric ulcers.     

Effect of gefarnate on acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in rats treated with compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulator, in comparison with that of teprenone

We have reported that teprenone (geranylgeranylacetone), an anti-ulcer drug, prevents acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in rats treated once with compound 48/80 (C48/80), a mast cell degranulator, possibly by suppressing mucus depletion, neutrophil infiltration, and oxidative stress in the gastric mucosa. Herein, we examined the preventive effect of gefarnate (geranyl farnesylacetate), an anti-ulcer drug, on acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in rats treated once with C48/80 (0.75 mg/kg, i.p.) in comparison with that of teprenone, because the chemical structure and anti-ulcer action of gefarnate are similar to those of teprenone. Gefarnate (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) administered orally at 0.5 h after C48/80 treatment, at which time gastric mucosal lesions appeared, reduced progressive gastric mucosal lesions at 3 h dose-dependently. At 3 h after C48/80 treatment, the gastric mucosa had decreased adherent mucus and hexosamine contents and increased myeloperoxdiase (an index of neutrophil infiltration) and xanthine oxidase activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (an index of lipid peroxidation) content. Post-administered gefarnate attenuated all these changes dose-dependently. These preventive effects of gefarnate were similar to those of teprenone at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Post-administered gefarnate did not affect the increases in serum serotonin and histamine concentrations and the decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow at 3 h after C48/80 treatment like teprenone. These results indicate that orally administered gefarnate prevents acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in C48/80-treated rats possibly by suppressing mucus depletion, neutrophil infiltration, and oxidative stress in the gastric mucosa like teprenone.     

Protective effect of teprenone against acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulator, in rats

The protective effect of teprenone, an anti-ulcer drug, against acute gastric mucosal lesions was examined in rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of compound 48/80 (0.75 mg/kg). Teprenone (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) was orally administered 0.5 h before compound 48/80 treatment. Administered teprenone prevented gastric mucosal lesion development found at 3 h after compound 48/80 treatment dose-dependently, although no dose of teprenone affected the decreased gastric mucosal blood flow and increased serum serotonin and histamine concentrations found at 3 h after the treatment. Increases in the activities of myeloperoxdiase (an index of neutrophil infiltration) and xanthine oxidase and the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (an index of lipid peroxidation) and decreases in the contents of hexosamine (a marker of gastric mucus) and adherent mucus occurred in gastric mucosal tissues at 3 h after compound 48/80 treatment. Administered teprenone dose-dependently attenuated all these changes found at 3 h after compound 48/80 treatment. These results indicate that orally administered teprenone protects against compound 48/80-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions in rats possibly through its stimulatory action on gastric mucus synthesis and secretion and its inhibitory action on neutrophil infiltration and enhanced lipid peroxidation in the gastric mucosal tissue.     

Teprenone promotes the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers in rats by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation in ulcerated gastric tissues.

Teprenone, an anti-ulcer drug, has been reported to promote the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers in rats by stimulating gastric mucus synthesis and secretion. Recently, it has been implicated that neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation in ulcerated gastric tissues have an inhibitory effect on the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers in rats. Therefore, we attempted to clarify whether teprenone exerts a healing-promoting effect on acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers through its inhibitory effect on neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation in ulcerated gastric tissues. In rats with chronic gastric ulcers made by applying acetic acid to the stomach, gastric ulcer healing started later than 3 days after the acetic acid application. Gastric mucosal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of tissue neutrophil infiltration, and lipid peroxide content were higher in the ulcerated region than in the intact region on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd day after the acetic acid application. Gastric mucosal non-protein SH content was lower in the ulcerated region than in the intact region on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd day after the acetic acid application, and gastric mucosal adherent mucus content was lower in the ulcerated region than in the intact region on the 8th and 15th day. Daily oral administration of teprenone (100 mg kg(-1)x 2) for 7 or 14 days, starting on the 8th day after the application of acetic acid to the stomach, enhanced the reduction of the ulcer area with attenuation of all these biochemical changes found in the ulcerated region. The teprenone administration caused a decrease in MPO activity and an increase in adherent mucus content in the gastric mucosa of the intact region. These results suggest that the healing-promoting effect of teprenone on acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers in rats could be due not only to stimulation of gastric mucus secretion but also to inhibition of neutrophil infiltration and enhanced lipid peroxidation in the ulcerated gastric tissue.     

Preventive effect of teprenone on acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in compound 48/80-treated rats

The preventive effect of teprenone (6,10,14,18-teramethyl-5,9,13,17-nonadecatetaene-2-one), an anti-ulcer drug, on acute gastric mucosal lesion progression was examined in rats with a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of compound 48/80 (0.75 mg/kg). Teprenone (20, 100 or 200 mg/kg), which was orally administered 0.5 h after compound 48/80 treatment at which time gastric mucosal lesions appeared, prevented gastric mucosal lesion development at 3 h after the treatment dose-dependently. Gastric mucosal tissues of compound 48/80-treated rats showed increases in myeloperoxidase (an index of neutrophil infiltration) and xanthine oxidase activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (an index of lipid peroxidation) content and decreases in Se-glutathione peroxidase activity and hexosamine and vitamin E contents at 3 h after the treatment. Post-administered teprenone attenuated all these changes dose-dependently. These results indicate that teprenone prevents acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in compound 48/80-treated rats possibly by suppressing gastric mucus depletion, neutrophil infiltration and oxidative stress in the gastric mucosal tissue.     

Effects of the novel anti-ulcer agent 1-(5'-oxohexyl)-3-methyl-7-propyl xanthine on experimental ulcers and gastric secretion in rats

The effects of 1-(5'-oxohexyl)-3-methyl-7-propyl xanthine (HWA 285) on various experimentally induced ulcers and gastric acid secretion were investigated in rats. HWA 285 (10-50 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited restraint and water-immersion-induced stress, ulcers, indometacin- and absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and mepirizole-induced duodenal ulcers in rats in a dose-dependent manner. HWA 285 (10-25 mg/kg i.d.) had inhibitory effects on acetylsalicylic acid-induced ulcers. The healing of acetic acid-induced chronic ulcers was significantly accelerated by HWA 285 (25 mg/kg p.o.) when it was given twice daily for 7 consecutive days. When given orally (twice a day, 11 doses in total) before the induction of gastric ulcers by stress, cimetidine at 100 mg/kg aggravated the ulcers, whereas, HWA 285 at 25 mg/kg had not such an effect. In conscious pylorus-ligated rats, HWA 285 (10-100 mg/kg i.p.) showed a dose-dependent inhibition on basal and desglugastrin- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-stimulated gastric acid secretion. In stomach-lumen perfused rats, HWA 285 (30 mg/kg i.v.) inhibited 2-DG-stimulated gastric acid secretion but not carbachol-stimulated gastric acid secretion. These results suggest that the anti-ulcer effects of HWA 285 are produced by cytoprotective and central anti-secretory activity without peripheral anti-cholinergic properties. Whether the central anti-secretory effects of HWA 285 play thereby the key role, have to be clarified in further investigation.     

Preventive and curative effects of curcumin on the development of gastric inflammatory diseases in rats

Preventive and curative effects of curcumin on experimental acute and chronic gastric ulcers were investigated to validate its clinical application on a remedy for peptic ulcer. Intraduodenal administration of curcumin, 5–20 mg/kg, inhibited gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats, and oral administration prevented ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions. Curcumin (20–80 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently prevented both serotonin-induced gastric mucosal lesions and compound 48/80-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. Furthermore, oral administration of curcumin, 10–80 mg/kg, twice daily for 10 days, significantly accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer and promoted mucosal regeneration in the ulcerated portion in a dose-related manner. Cimetidine prevented the formation of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions, but not of serotonin-induced and compound 48/80-induced gastric mucosal lesions. Consecutive administration of cimetidine showed a marked acceleration in the healing of acetic acid-induced ulcer. Aminoguanidine, an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, showed anti-ulcerogenic effects similar to those oberved for curcumin. The present results indicate that curcumin exhibits gastric cytoprotection in the acute lesion models and ulcer healing promotion in the chronic ulcer model. The preventive and curative effects of curcumin might be due to an increase in the mucosal defensive mechanism through its antioxidant property and inhibition of NO or cytokine-mediated inflammation.     

Protective effect of ebselen,a seleno-organic compound,against the progression of acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulator,in rats

The protective effect of ebselen, which possesses glutathione peroxidase-like activity and antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, against the progression of acute gastric mucosal lesions was examined in rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of compound 48/80 (0.75 mg/kg). Ebselen (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) was orally administered 0.5 h after compound 48/80 treatment, at which time gastric mucosal lesions appeared. Post-administered ebselen suppressed gastric mucosal lesion progression at 3 h after compound 48/80 treatment dose-dependently, although no dose of ebselen affected the decreased gastric mucosal blood flow and increased serum serotonin and histamine concentrations found at 3 h after the treatment. A decrease in Se-glutathione peroxidase activity and increases in myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activities and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were found in gastric mucosal tissues at 0.5 h after compound 48/80 treatment, and these changes were further enhanced at 3 h. Post-administered ebselen attenuated all these changes found at 3 h after compound 48/80 treatment dose-dependently. The present results indicate that ebselen exerts a protective effect against the progression of compound 48/80-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions in rats, and they suggest that this protective effect of ebselen could be due to its glutathione peroxidase-like activity and its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.     

Decreased renal excretion of uric acid following diuretic administration in rats

The anti-ulcer effect of sofalcone, an isoprenyl chalcone derivative, on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats was studied histologically and histochemically. After administrations of sofalcone at 50 and 200 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days, contraction of the ulcer, mucosal regeneration, accelerated development of the collagen fibers in the granulation tissue at the base of the ulcer, and increase of acid mucopolysaccharides, an alcian blue stain-positive substance covering the regenerated mucosa, were noted. The healing effect of sofalcone was balanced in mucosal regeneration and connective tissue proliferation (formation of the collagen fibers). Sofalcone of 50 mg/kg showed a greater healing effect than gefarnate at the same dose and had a similar healing effect as L-glutamine at 200 mg/kg.     

Effect of oral vitamin E administration on acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in rats treated with compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulator

The effect of oral vitamin E administration on acute gastric mucosal lesion progression was examined in rats treated once with compound 48/80 (C48/80) (0.75 mg/kg, i.p.) in comparison with that of subcutaneously administered superoxide dismutase (SOD) plus catalase (CAT). Vitamin E (50, 100 or 250 mg/kg) administered at 0.5 h after C48/80 treatment reduced progressive gastric mucosal lesions at 3 h after the treatment dose-dependently, like SOD plus CAT administered at the same time point. The gastric mucosa of C48/80-treated rats had decreased Se-glutathione peroxidase activity and vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and hexosamine contents and increased myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content at 3 h after the treatment. Administered vitamin E attenuated all these changes found at 3 h after C48/80 treatment dose-dependently, like administered SOD plus CAT. C48/80-treated rats administered with vitamin E (100 or 250 mg/kg) had higher gastric mucosal vitamin E content than C48/80-untreated rats. Neither administered vitamin E nor SOD plus CAT had any effect on the increases in serum serotonin and histamine concentrations and the decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow found at 3 h after C48/80 treatment. In the gastric mucosa of C48/80-untreated rats administered with vitamin E, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content decreased with an increase in vitamin E content. These results indicate that orally administered vitamin E prevents acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in C48/80-treated rats possibly by suppressing oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration, and mucus depletion in the gastric mucosa like administered SOD plus CAT.     

Effects of 3-hydroxymethyl-2-methylimidazo [2, 1-b] benzothiazole (NIK-228) on gastric acid secretion and various experimental peptic ulcers in rats

We examined the antisecretory and antiulcer activities of NIK-228 in rats. Male Wistar rats (200 to 250 g) were used under 24 to 48 hr fasted (without water) conditions. NIK-228 and famotidine were administered orally 1 hr before pylorus ligation, stress or each ulceration inducer. Both NIK-228 (10 to 100 mg/kg) and famotidine (0.3 to 3 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited gastric secretion in pylorus ligated rats. Water-immersion stress-, indomethacin- or pylorus ligation (Shay)-induced gastric ulcers were dose-dependently inhibited by NIK-228 (10 to 100 mg/kg), but only water-immersion stress and indomethacin induced ulcers were dose-dependently inhibited by famotidine (0.03 to 3 mg/kg). Ethanol- and 0.6 N HCl-induced gastric lesions were remarkably inhibited by NIK-228 (ED50 = 2.7 and 5.6 mg/kg), but tended to be inhibited also by famotidine (0.3 to 3 mg/kg). Cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer was inhibited significantly by NIK-228 (30, 100 mg/kg) or famotidine (3 mg/kg). NIK-228 may produce its antiulcer effects via antisecretory and cytoprotective effects. These results suggest that NIK-228 has antisecretory and antiulcer activities.     

Effects of nizatidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on gastric acid secretion and various gastric and duodenal lesions in rats: comparison with cimetidine

We examined the antisecretory and antilesion activities of nizatidine in rats. Male SD or Donryu rats (200-260 g) were used under fasted or fed conditions. Nizatidine, given orally or parenterally (intraperitoneally, subcutaneously or intraduodenally) at 0.3-150 mg/kg, inhibited both basal (pylorus-ligation preparations) and histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion (acute fistula preparations) in a dose-dependent manner. The potency of nizatidine was 2 to 8 times greater than cimetidine when the ED50 values (mg/kg or mu mole/kg) of each agent were compared. The antisecretory activity of nizatidine, given orally, persisted for more than 3.5 hr, but disappeared 6 hr later. Nizatidine, given orally or subcutaneously at 0.3-150 mg/kg, prevented development of gastric lesions induced by water immersion, pylorus ligation (Shay), histamine, aspirin, or indomethacin in a dose-dependent manner. Duodenal ulcers induced by mepirizole were also markedly prevented with nizatidine. The potency of nizatidine on stress lesions or duodenal ulcers was about 20 or 14 times greater than that of cimetidine, respectively. Nizatidine, given orally 3 times a day for 4 weeks, significantly (P less than 0.05) accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers which were delayed by prolonged treatment with indomethacin. These results suggest that nizatidine is a useful drug for the treatment of peptic ulcers in man.     

Effect of omeprazole on delayed healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats

Omeprazole, a gastric mucosal proton pump inhibitor, significantly and dose-dependently prevented the delayed healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in response to repeatedly administered indomethacin to rats. Both basal and histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretions in rats with acetic acid-induced ulcers that were given indomethacin were markedly and persistently (greater than 24 hr) inhibited after 4 weeks treatment with omeprazole. The prevention of delayed ulcer healing by omeprazole appears to be due to its long-lasting antisecretory activity.     

Effects of cimetidine and atropine sulfate on gastric secretion and healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats.

Cimetidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist (50 or 100 mg/kg) and atropine sulfate (15 mg/kg) given intraduodenally, markedly inhibited gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. Cimetidine (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) given for 10 or 12 consecutive days orally in two divided doses, significantly promoted the healing rate of both gastric and duodenal ulcers induced in rats. Atropine (30 mg/kg/day) also significantly accelerated the healing of duodenal ulcers but failed to affect gastric ulcers.     

Effects of 2-benzyloxycarbonylphenyl trans-4-guanidinomethylcyclohexanecarboxylate hydrochloride monohydrate (TKG01) and its clathrate compound with beta-cyclodextrin (TA903) on experimental gastric ulcers and gastric secretion in rats

Effects of TKG01 on gastric ulcers and gastric secretion in rats were investigated in comparison with those of TA903, which is the equimolar clathrate compound of TKG01 anhydride with beta-cyclodextrin. The doses were adjusted on a molecular weight basis to include the same amount of TKG01 anhydride. Water-immersion stress ulcers were dose-dependently (100, 300 mg/kg) inhibited by TA903 given orally, but only significantly inhibited by TKG01 (300 mg/kg). TA903, given orally, even in low doses (30, 100 mg/kg) potently inhibited HCl-ethanol ulcers, whereas TKG01 did not inhibit these ulcers. Both TA903 and TKG01, given orally (100, 300 mg/kg), showed similar inhibition of indomethacin ulcers. TA903, given intraduodenally (100, 300 mg/kg), dose-dependently inhibited gastric secretion (volume, acid output and pepsin output) in pylorus-ligated rats, but TKG01 only inhibited pepsin output (100, 300 mg/kg). These results showed that TA903 had a broader spectrum of anti-ulcer effects than TKG01 and the mechanism of TA903 could involve both its cytoprotective activity and its anti-secretory effect.     

Effects of orally administered human epidermal growth factor on natural and delayed healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats

We examined the effects of orally administered human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats. hEGF, given twice daily at 30 and 100 micrograms/kg for 2 weeks or at 100 micrograms/kg for 4 weeks to rats with ulcers, had no effect on natural healing or the gastric secretion, delayed one caused by indomethacin. Oral hEGF had no effect on basal histamine-stimulated gastric secretion, and stomach weight. These results indicate that oral hEGF has no biological activity on the pathophysiology of the stomach.