Asian Science
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Abstract: This study examined the effects of vitamin E on the prevention of aspirin induced gastric lesions.
Sixty-four rats of Sprague-Dawley species (200-250 g) were randomized into four groups. Group I was fed a
normal diet, Groups II to Group IV were fed with palm vitamin E and tocopherol enriched diet in a dose of 100,
150 and 30 mg kg-1 food, respectively. After four weeks of feeding with the respective diets the rats were challenged with a single intragastric dose of 400 mg kg-1 body weight aspirin suspended in propylene glycol. The rats were killed 6 h post-aspirin exposure for the determination of histological changes, gastric lesion index
and gastric acid and malondialdehyde. The gastric mucosal thickness was significantly higher in the groups
treated with palm vitamin E in the dose of 100 mg kg-1 body weight and 150 mg kg-1 body weight compared to control and tocopherol treated group. Gastric lesions index was significantly lower in all the vitamin E groups
compared to control. However, there was no significant difference in ulcer indices between palm vitamin E and
tocopherol treated groups. The lower ulcer index and better histological changes were accompanied by lower
gastric MDA and gastric acid content. It is concluded that the histological changes post aspirin exposure was
better in palm vitamin E treated group compared to tocopherol group. However palm vitamin E in a
dose of 100 and 150 mg kg-1 body weight as well as tocopherol in a dose of 30 mg have an equal effect on gastric lesions index, gastric acid and malondialdehyde. It thus appear that the protective effect of vitamin E
on aspirin induced gastric lesion mediated through it ability in limiting lipid peroxidation and gastric acid
secretion.