The ameliorating role of L-arginine and L-citrulline on gastric mucosal damage and lipid peroxidation in adult female rabbits with gastric ulceration induced by indomethacin

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic effect of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline and their combination on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage in adult female rabbits. Thirty adult female rabbits 1.25-1.75 kg, 24-26 weeks old were randomly divided into five equal groups, 6 animals each as in following: Control group: received distilled water orally 5 ml/kg. First treated group (T1): received indomethacin orally 50 mg/kg/day for 48 hours. Second treated group (T2): received indomethacin for 48 hours and after 30 minutes received L-Arginine orally 2.5 mmol/kg/day for 7 days. Third treated group (T3): received indomethacin for 48 hours and after 30 minutes received L-Citrulline orally 2.5 mmol/kg/day for 7 days. Fourth treated group (T4): received indomethacin for 48 hours and after 30 minutes received a combination of half a dose of L-Arginine 1.25 mmol/kg/day and L- Citrulline 1.25 mmol/kg/day for 7 days. The animals were sacrificed after lasted 10 hours. The obtained results illustrated that female rabbits treated with L-Arginine and L-Citrulline significantly prevented gastric ulcer induction through significant (P<0.05) reduced in gastric juice volume and ulcer area with 100% inhibition of ulceration, significant (P< 0.05) increase in gastric pH and almost return to its normal level compared to control value. It has been concluded that combination of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline appeared the best protective effect against gastric ulcer better than each drug alone in the indomethacin-treated group with a normal histopathological structure related with normal glandular stomach, numerous number of parietal cells in lamina propria.