In the present study the effect of zinc sulphate on indomethacin-induced changes
in gastric secretion and ulceration was investigated. Fifty adult male albino rats were
used in this work divided into five equal groups. The first (control) group was given
intraperitoneal (i.p) distilled water. The second (indomethacin) group was given i.p
indomethacin 25 mg /kg. The third, fourth and fifth groups were given i.p zinc
sulphate 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg i.p twenty minutes before indomethacin administration.
Indomethacin led to a significant decrease in the volume of gastric juice and acid
output with a significant increase in the acid concentration and ulcer index as
compared to control group.
Pretreatment with various doses of zincsulphate led to dose-dependant decrease
in the volume, acid concentration and acid output of gastric juice as well as the ulcer
index, there was dose-dependant increase inthe ulcer prevention indices as compared
with group of rats given indomethacin.
Indomethacin showed microscopic great destructive effect on gastric mucosa,
while zinc sulphate showed dose dependent improvement in the microscopic
destructive effect of indomethacin.
The anti-ulcer effect of zinc sulphate was attributed to decrease in gastric acid
secretion, reduction in neutrophils infiltration with increase of mucus secretion and
improvement of gastric mucosal blood flow. Zinc sulphate also showstabilizing effect
on lysosomes with prevention of release of lysosomal enzymes and scavenging of
oxygen-free radicals through its antioxidant effect. We can conclude that zinc
sulphate has a better effect in prevention of indomethacin-inducedgastric ulceration
and can be used as a prophylactic remedy in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.