The mechanisms of acute gastric mucosal injury caused by non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAID) are not fully understood. Recent work suggests that free oxygen
radicals are probably contributary.
The present work was designed to study the ability of some free radical scavengers,
viz, allopurinol, vitamin C and vitamin E, to protect against the mucosal injury produced by
oral administration of indomethacin.
The effect of these agents on gastric acid secretion as well as its output per hour was
measured using the titrable technique. The concentration of pepsin and mucus content in the
gastric juice were also determined, and for the assessment of gastric ulceration, the preventive
index was calculated.
Moreover, to study the effect of the three antioxidants" Allopurinol, Vit. C & Vit. E"
on gastric mucosal prostaglandin £2 synthesis, independent
groups of rats were employed. It was found that Allopurinol, vit. C, Vit E did not change
indomethacin - induced drop in gastric mucosal prostaglandin £2.
Thus, it could be concluded that free radicals play a role in the pathogenesis of peptic
ulcer and that free radical scavenger can, in part, protect against indomethacin - induced
gastric injury.