Background
Gastric ulcer (GU) is one of the most common disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Obestatin, a ghrelin-related peptide, has been shown to exhibit some protective and therapeutic effects in the gut.
Aim
This study aimed at investigating the protective effect of obestatin on acute indomethacin (IND)-induced GU, clarifying the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).
Materials and methods
A total of 32 adult Wistar albino male rats were divided into four main groups: control group, obestatin group, GU group, and obestatin+GU group. Obestatin was given by a single intraperotineal injection (30 μg/kg) 1 h before induction of GU by a single oral dose of IND (40 mg/kg). Pyloric ligation was carried out in all animals before IND or distilled water administration. Four hours later after IND treatment, gastric ulcer index, preventive index, gastric juice volume, and free and total acidity were assessed. Nitric oxide, VEGF mRNA, and TNF-α mRNA were measured in gastric tissue, as well as histopathological study of gastric injury.
Results
IND caused a significant increase in ulcer index, gastric juice volume, free and total acidity, and TNF-α mRNA, with a significant decrease in nitric oxide and VEGF mRNA. Pretreatment with obestatin reversed these effects.
Conclusion
Obestatin pretreatment showed a gastroprotective effect against the IND-induced GU that can be explained by the anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects of obestatin treatment and reduction of gastric juice volume, free acidity, and total acidity.