Oxygen derived free radicals were found to be one of the major mechanisms which lead to gastric ulceration. In this work the role of vitamins E & C as antioxidant agents in protection against and healing of gastric ulcers was investigated. 48 albino rats were included in this study .They were divided into a control group (6 rats) ,induction group (6 rats) ,Vit C group (18 rats) and Vit E groups (18 rats).The control rats were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with normal saline for 14 days .In the induction group the rats were injected with hydrocortisone sodium succinate lip) for 14 daysfor induction ofgastric ulceration,Vit C group were divided into3subgroups eachoneofthemincludes 6rats.’1'he VitCsubgroups were injected withVitCiminadoseon mg/kgm Idayfor14days before, during and after corticosteroid iry’ection ,Vit B group were also subdi- vided into 3 subgroups 6 rats each ,which were injected with vii E in a
dose of 30 mg/ 100 gm daily SC for 14 days before ,during and after cor- ticosteroid injection, The results showed that corticosteroid injection for 14 days resulted in gastric ulcer formation in all the iry’ected rats. Treat- ment of rats with vitamin C and E significantly reduced the ulcer for- mation and help the healing of the already fomed ulcers. The best protective effect was obtained when rats were supplemented with vita- min C and E during the peroid of corticosteroid injection. There were no marked differences between both vitamins in protection or healing of gastric ulcer. We conclude that vitamin C and vitamin E have a significant protective and healing effect against corticosteroid induced gastric ulceration in rats most probably due to their antioxidant effects. |
