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Gastroprotective effect of zinc acexamate against damage induced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

A morphological study

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Abstract

The gastroprotective effect of zinc acexamate against gastric damage induced by different nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (indomethacin, diclofenac, and piroxicam) was morphologically assessed in the rat glandular stomach by light and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the capability of these antiinflammatory drugs to inhibit gastric prostaglandin E2 production was compared with their ability to induce gastric lesions. Microscopically, disappearance of mucus glycoprotein and exfoliation of the mucosal surface were the most common findings. Surface ultrastructural lesions varied from minimal lesions of the surface epithelial cells to deep erosions of the gastric mucosa with release of associated cellular elements and sloughing of the denuded lamina propria. Diclofenac elicited the most powerful inhibitory activity on mucosal prostaglandin E2 (98% inhibition vs control), closely followed by piroxicam (97.8%) and indomethacin (91.05%). Pretreatment of animals with zinc acexamate significantly increased the presence of mucus glycoprotein, maintained the continuity of the surface epithelial cells, and decreased the depth of the mucosal erosions. The degree of protection exerted by zinc acexamate varied with the antiinflammatory, but was always evident.

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Author notes

  1. G. Escolar MD, PhD

    Present address: Hospital Clinic i Provincial, Villarroel 170, E-08036, Barcelona, Spain

  2. C. J. Pfeiffer PhD

    Present address: Department of Biomedical Sciences, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, Virginia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Farmacología, Laboratorios Viñas, Torrente Vidalet 29, E-08012, Barcelona, S. A., Spain

    O. Bulbena PhD,  G. Escolar MD, PhD, C. Navarro PhD, L. Bravo PharmD &  C. J. Pfeiffer PhD

Authors
  1. O. Bulbena PhD
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  2. G. Escolar MD, PhD
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  3. C. Navarro PhD
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  4. L. Bravo PharmD
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  5. C. J. Pfeiffer PhD
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Bulbena, O., Escolar, G., Navarro, C. et al. Gastroprotective effect of zinc acexamate against damage induced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Digest Dis Sci 38, 730–739 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01316807

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01316807

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