Protective effects of amphetamine on gastric ulcerations induced by indomethacin in rats

AIM: To study the effects of amphetamine, an indirect-acting adrenomimetic compound on the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcerations in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar-Bratislava rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 (control), received an ulcerogenic dose of indomethacin (50 mu mol/kg) and Groups 2, 3 and 4, treated with amphetamine (10, 25 and 50 mu mol/kg). The drug was administered simultaneously with indomethacin and once again 4 h later. The animals were sacrificed 8 h after indomethacin treatment. The stomachs were. opened and the incidence, the number of lesions and their severity were evaluated. The results were expressed as percentage and as mean standard error (mean +/- SE). RESULTS: The incidence of ulceration in the control group was 100%. Amphetamine, at doses of 10, 25 and 50 mu mol/kg, lowered the incidence to 88.89%, 77.78% and 37.5% respectively. The protection ratio was positive: 24.14%, 55.17% and 80.6% respectively. The total number of ulcerations/rat was 12.44 +/- 3.69 in the control group. It decreased to 7.33 +/- 1.89, 5.33 +/- 2.38 and 2.25 +/- 1.97 under the effects of the above-mentioned doses of amphetamine. CONCLUSION: Amphetamine affords a significant dose-dependent protection against the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcerations in rats. It is suggested that the adrenergic system is involved in the gastric mucosa protection. (C) 2006 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.