Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer: Model in Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

NSAIDs (drugs use in pain management) have been linked with ulcer and employed in several animal experiments, but the ulcer dose has been conflicting. In this regard, an animal model experiment was carried-out to determine the ulcer-dose of indomethacin on female Wistar rats. Based on this objective, three varying doses (30, 40 and 50mg/kg/bw) of indomethacin were respectively given orally to three groups (B, C and D) of 48hr-fasting rats weighing 200±25g. Eight hours later, the animals were sacrificed and the stomach harvested and compared with 48hr-fasting/untreated control (group A) for ulcer index (UI) and macroscopic examination (ME) using standard procedures. Results showed different degrees of gastric ulcers in a dose dependent fashion in all the treated groups and were supported by macroscopic features. Specifically, the 30mg/kg/bw treated group presented a mean UI of 3.34±0.30mm while the 40mg/kg/bw and 50mg/kg/bw groups presented a UI of 11.02±1.31mm and 19.53±2.87mm respectively. The 50mg/kg/bw treated rats however, presented a high degree of weakness, behavioural changes and reduced physical activity; suggesting therefore, that for experimental purposes, the physical and behavioural influence of indomethacin should be considered in the determination of ulcer-doses, since it may likely affect the outcome.

Keywords: Gastric ulcer, Indomethacin, Dosage, Wistar rats.