Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College (JRMC); 2014;18(2):286-289 286 Original Article Protective Effect of Vitamin E on Indomethacin Induced Gastric Ulcers Ayesha Yousaf, * Shaista Ali, * Zahra Haider Bokhari, ** Attiya Mubarak Khalid, *** Muhammad Amin Sheikh. **** *Department of Anatomy, Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi. ** Department of Anatomy, King Edward Medical College, Lahore. *** Department of Anatomy, Avesina Medical College, Lahore. **** Department of Anatomy, SIMS, Lahore. Abstract Background: To study the histomorphological changes in gastric mucosa induced in mice by Indomethacin and to assess the protective effect of vitamin E with variable duration of drugs. Methods: In this experimental study 48 adult albino mice were divided randomly in to four groups A, B, C and D each group comprising of 12 mice. Group A was the control group. Group B was given Vitamin E 400mg/kg. Group C was given Indomethacin 25mg/kg and Group D was given a combination of Indomethacin and Vitamin E (25mg/kg & 400 mg/kg respectively). In each group 6 animals were given dose for 3 days and other 6 animals for 8 days. They were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose. After dissection gastric mucosal changes regarding colour and site of ulcers were examined under dissecting microscope. Histological parameter observed was presence/absence of mucus in the cells of gastric glands. Results: Findings were normal in groups A and B. Reddish mucosa with ulcers in pyloric part of stomach was seen in groups C and D. Decreased mucus in cells of gastric glands was also observed in group C as compared to group D. Conclusion: Severity of gastric ulcers induced by Indomethacin in mice is decreased by giving Vitamin E which protects gastric mucosa by increasing mucus in cells of gastric glands. Key Words: Indomethacin, vitamin E, gastric mucosa, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Introduction Mice as well as human stomach have a similar histology. Stomach wall is composed of mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa. Mucosa is composed of epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis mucosae. Gastric mucosal defense includes mucus-bicarbonate-phospholipid barrier and surface epithelial cells generating bicarbonate, mucus, phospholipid and prostaglandins. 1 Mucus is produced by surface epithelial cells and mucus neck cells of gastric glands. 2 Indomethacin is anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins. 3,4 Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis leads to gastrotoxic effect of indomethacin. 5 Prostaglandins stimulate mucus and bicarbonate secretion, inhibit gastric acid secretion to maintain pH gradient. 6 Gastric mucosal protection is impaired by decreased prostaglandin level and increases secretion of acid to produce ulcer. 7 Indomethacin produces lesions in the pylorus as it is the most vulnerable part. The pyloric antral lesion may reach maximum size in 6-10 hours, penetrated muscularis mucosae within three days and remains for at least 7 days. 3 Vitamin E is a lipid soluble antioxidant that increases secretion of prostaglandins. 8,9 Vitamin E activates enzyme phospholipase A2 and increases the synthesis and secretion of prostaglandins. 10 Materials and Methods The study was conducted in the Anatomy Department of King Edward Medical University and Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. Colonies of Mus-musculus Swiss Webster albino mice were procured from Veterinary Research Institute of Lahore.They were acclimatized for 14 days in Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. 48 adult healthy male mice of body weight ranging from 20 to 35gm used in the study were divided at random into a control group-A and experimental groups-B, C and D each comprising of I2 animals. Groups were further subdivided into subgroups A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 and D2 comprising of 6 mice each according to duration of drug. Groups of mice were kept in cages which were labelled as A, B, C and D. Indomethacin was given in a dose of 25mg/kg body weight/day. Stock suspension of Indomethacin was prepared daily by mixing finely ground powder of one capsule in 2ml of distilled water by constant stirring. Vitamin E was given in a dose of 400mg/kg body weight/day. Stock suspension was prepared