Comparative response of random and inbred albino rats to the ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin

Abstract

The study evaluated the response of two generations of random and inbred Wistar albino rats to the ulcerogenic effects of indomethacin. A total of 144 rats (age: 12 to 14 weeks) belonging to two generations (G) and two breeding groups (36 rats/group) were used for the study. The animals in each group were assigned to three treatments: 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg of indomethacin per os and then fasted of food (48 h) and water (2 h) prior to treatment. The rats were sacrificed 2 h post treatment; the stomach and its content was harvested for evaluation of ulcer lesion and gastric acidity. Ulcer index (UI) and gastric acidity (GA) were compared between doses of indomethacin for breeding groups, within and between  generations, and for sex of rats within breeding groups and generations. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) effect of dose on UI in G₁ randombred rats, and GA in G₁ and G₂ inbred rats. Effect of sex was significant (p < 0.05) in G₁ inbred rats. Rats belonging to G₂ generation had higher UI but lower GA than G₁ rats. It was concluded that inbreeding enhances the sensitivity of albino rats to toxic effects of indomethacin. Thus inbred rather than randombred rats could be better materials in assessing the toxicity of pharmaceuticals, and chemical agents.

Keywords: Inbred rats, random bred rats, indomethacin, toxicity tests, ulcer index