beta-carotene and Peptic-Ulcer

The study was conducted to examine the role of free radicals in Indomethacin induced gastric mucosal injury and to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of melatonin and beta-carotene. Gastric mucosal injury was produced in rats by administering indomethacin 30 mg/kg subcutaneously. Melatonin was administered in three different doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, 30 minutes prior to the administration of indomethacin. Beta-carotene was administered as a single dose of 100 mg/kg. Following parameters were calculated: ulcer index, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense enzymes i.e. superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Indomethacin caused gastric mucosal injury in the form of haemorrhages, increased the lipid peroxidation and decreased the levels of the antioxidant defense enzymes. Melatonin (20 mg/kg) and beta-carotene decreased the ulcer index and lipid peroxidation, and reduced the decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels. These findings suggest the melatonin and beta-carotene show protective effect against indomethacin induced gastric injury and this effect is mediated by scavenging of oxygen derived free radicals.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Gastric Mucosa; Indomethacin; Male; Melatonin; Peptic Ulcer; Rats; Rats, Wistar

It was shown that in patients with hypertension, duodenal and gastric ulcers and erosive gastritis leukopenia and lymphopenia are seen. At the same time contents of T- and B-lymphocytes are decreased and contents of C- lymphocytes are increased in circulation blood. Peroral daily intake of 20 mg of beta-carotene during 3-4 weeks caused increasing the contents of B- and T-cells and decreasing contents of C-lymphocytes in blood of patients.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Administration, Oral; B-Lymphocytes; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Duodenal Ulcer; Gastritis; Humans; Hypertension; Lymphocyte Count; Peptic Ulcer; Stomach Ulcer; T-Lymphocytes; Time Factors

The functional activity of a natural isomer mixture as compared with synthetic all-trans beta-carotene in rats was investigated in a rat model produced by water-immersion restraint stress. Five-week-old male rats were fed diets supplemented with synthetic all-trans beta-carotene, dry Dunaliella bardawil, and purified natural beta-carotene from D. bardawil at equivalent levels of beta-carotene. After the rats were fed diets containing up to 0.1% beta-carotene for 2 weeks, they were restrained in a wire cage and immersed in a 23 degree C water bath for 20 h. Liver analyses indicated that rats showed higher accumulations of the algal beta-carotene isomer mixture than of the synthetic all-trans beta-carotene. Dunaliella bardawil and purified natural beta-carotene significantly decreased the gastric mucosal lesions. Synthetic beta-carotene did not decrease the lesions. These results suggest that the gastric cytoprotective effect of beta-carotene depends on the amount of beta-carotene accumulated in the body.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Ulcer Agents; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Chlorophyta; Liver; Male; Peptic Ulcer; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Stomach; Stress, Physiological