HISTOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E ON ALENDRONATE INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERS IN ALBINO RATS

Background: Gastric ulcer is a serious precancerous disease. The pathogenesis of gastric ulcer is due to the imbalance of shielding factors and risk factors. Oxidative damage also plays an important part in its pathogenesis. Alendronate is the main bisphosphonate used for Osteoporosis but affects GIT badly. Vitamin E is the main antioxidant which prevents the oxidative damage. Objectives: To evaluate the gastro protective effects of Vitamin E on gastric mucosal injury produced by Alendronate. Methods: Twenty-one adult albino rats were divided into three groups. Group I was the control group, group II was given Alendronate 3mg/kg for 28 days and group III was given Vitamin E 400IU/100gm followed by Alendronate 3mg/kg after 1 hour, for 28 days. On 29th day, all rats were sacrificed and specimens of stomach were preserved for tissue processing and sectioning. H&E staining was used to see epithelial integrity, extent of ulcer, inflammatory infiltrates and hemorrhage. Results: The epithelial integrity was disrupted in Group II (Alendronate) while Group I (Control) and Group III (Vitamin E and Alendronate) had intact epithelium. Most of the ulcers were extended up to epithelium of Group II (Alendronate). Neutrophil infiltrate and microscopic hemorrhages were also seen in Group II (Alendronate) but not in Group III (Vitamin E and Alendronate). Conclusion: The study showed that Vitamin E had provided gastro protection against Alendronate induced gastric ulcer in rats. There was reduction in gastric mucosal erosion in the Group III which was given Vitamin E along with Alendronate.