Effect of lecithin on experimental gastric ulcer

Lecithin is a substance used in medicine and food industry, located in all body cell membranes and gives elasticity to cell membrane. In our study, we investigated the effect of lecithin on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. For the study, rats were divided into 5 groups. To 1st group distilled water (10 ml/kg), 2nd group lecithin (1200 mg/kg), 3rd group lecithin (2400 mg/kg), 4th group famotidine (40 mg/kg) and 5th group pantoprazole (40 mg/kg) were given orally, 30 minutes later indomethacin (25 mg/kg-oral) was given to all groups. After 6 hours, all rats were sacrificed with thiopental sodium (50 mg/kg), stomaches were removed, ulcer indexes and ulcer inhibition rates of the groups were calculated. Stomach tissues were also histopathologically examined. Stomach tissues were evaluated and ulcerated areas were observed in all rats in low dose lecithin (1200 mg/kg) group, in 7 rats in high dose lecithin (2400 mg/kg) group and in only 2 of the rats in famotidine group. None of the rats in pantoprazole group had ulcerated areas. Ulcer index of control group was 6.75±0.81% and according to this, ulcer inhibition rates of the groups (lecithin-I, lecithin-II, famotidine and pantoprazole) were calculated as 45%, 57%, 98% and 100% respectively and these ratios were statistically significant. While both doses of lecithin decreased mucosal hyperemia (p<0.05), positive effects on gastric erosion were observed in the high dose only (p<0.05). The decrease in PMNL and MNL infiltration caused by lecithin were statistically insignificant. Pantoprazole and famotidine significantly reduced mucosal hyperemia, erosion, PMNL and MNL infiltration. In conclusion, in indomethacin-induced gastric lesion in rats, compared to the control group, lecithin showed gastroprotective effects both macroscopically and histopathologically (hyperemia, gastric erosion). Key words: Lecithin, Indomethacin, Stomach ulcers, Rat.