Skip to main content
Download PDF

Antiulcer activity of fluvoxamine in rats and its effect on oxidant and antioxidant parameters in stomach tissue

BMC Gastroenterology volume 9, Article number: 36 (2009) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Although many drugs are available for the treatment of gastric ulcers, often these drugs are ineffective. Many antidepressant drugs have been shown to have antiulcer activity in various models of experimental ulcer. One such drug, the antidepressant mirtazapine, has been reported to have an antiulcer effect that involves an increase in antioxidant, and a decrease in oxidant, parameters. To date, however, there is no information available regarding the antiulcer activity for a similar antidepressant, fluvoxamine. This study aimed to investigate the antiulcer effects of fluvoxamine and to determine its relationship with antioxidants.

Methods

Groups of rats fasted for 24 h received fluvoxamine (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), ranitidine (50 mg/kg) or distilled water by oral gavage. Indomethacin (25 mg/kg) was orally administered to the rats as an ulcerative agent. Six hours after ulcer induction, the stomachs of the rats were excised and an ulcer index determined. Separate groups of rats were treated with the same doses of fluvoxamine and ranitidine, but not with indomethacin, to test effects of these drugs alone on biochemical parameters. The stomachs were evaluated biochemically to determine oxidant and antioxidant parameters. We used one-way ANOVA and least significant difference (LSD) options for data analysis.

Results

The 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of fluvoxamine exerted antiulcer effects of 48.5, 67.5, 82.1 and 96.1%, respectively, compared to the control rat group. Ranitidine showed an 86.5% antiulcer effect. No differences were observed in the absence of indomethacin treatment for any dose of fluvoxamine or for ranitidine. The levels of antioxidant parameters, total glutathione and nitric oxide, were increased in all fluvoxamine groups and in the ranitidine group when compared with the indomethacin-only group. In addition, fluvoxamine and ranitidine decreased the levels of the oxidant parameters, myeloperoxidase and malondialdeyhyde, in the stomach tissues of the rats when compared to indomethacin group.

Conclusion

We conclude that fluvoxamine has antiulcer effects, and that these occur by a mechanism that involves activation of antioxidant parameters and inhibition of some toxic oxidant parameters.

Peer Review reports

Background

Steroid and non-steroidal drugs, cigarettes, alcohol usage, trauma, sepsis, shock, Helicobacter pylori, and stress have been shown to contribute to gastric ulcer formation [1–4]. Stress is one of the more aggressive factors and underlies many other diseases apart from ulcers, for example, depression. Stress is one of the most commonly used methods to produce ulcer models [5, 6]. Depression, accompanied by psychotic and somatic symptoms, is present in most patients with gastro intestinal system (GIS) ulcers [7]. Of interest to the current study are reports that show that certain antidepressants can also have anti-ulcerative effects [8].

The earliest reported use of antidepressants for gastro intestinal (GI) disease was the use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease [8]. Antiulcer effects of some other antidepressant drugs such as fluoksetin, bupropion, dothiepin, maprotiline, mianserin, trimipramine, idazoksan, monoaminooxidase -B (MAO-B) inhibitors, imipramine, amiltriptiline, mirtazapine, among others, have since been reported [9–16]. An increased vulnerability to depression [17] and anxiety [18] in experimental animals is paralleled with ulcer development and the same holds true for humans [19, 20]. Moreover, classic antidepressants [21, 22] and anxiolytics [23, 24] can significantly reduce stress ulcer formation, perhaps to a greater extent than that seen with traditional therapies such as cimetidine and antacids [25].

Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug, inhibits the CYP 1A2 enzyme [26], which is known to produce reactive oxygen species [27]. Nevertheless, etiologic factors are ambiguous in approximately 60%–80% of ulcer diseases, and the physiopathologic conditions in the process of illness are similar [1]. For example, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are indicated in the mechanism of both stress and indomethacin-induced gastric damage [28]. The important roles of oxygen-derived ROS and lipid peroxides (LPO) in acute gastric lesions, which are induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin, have been supported by experimental data [29, 30].

While some SSRI drugs have been reported to enhance upper GIS bleeding when combined with NSAIDs [31–33], fluvoxamine may be beneficial for the GI tract as a consequence of its inhibitory effect on the CYP 1A2 enzyme, and resultant reduction in oxidative damage. The importance of increasing antioxidant parameters and decreasing oxidant parameters in the antiulcer effect mechanism of mirtazapine, an antidepressant drug, has also been reported [16]. To date, however, there is no information available regarding the antiulcer activity of fluvoxamine. The aim of the current study was therefore to examine the effects of fluvoxamine in an indomethacin-induced ulcer model on rats, and to evaluate its effects on oxidant and antioxidant parameters in rat stomach tissue.

Methods

Animals

The animals were obtained from the Medical Experimental Research Centre, Atatürk University. A total of 78 male albino Wistar rats, weighing between 190 and 210 g, were used for this study. The animals were fed under normal conditions (22°C) in separate groups. Animal experiments were performed in accordance with national guidelines for the use and care of laboratory animals and were approved by the local animal care committee of Atatürk University.

Chemicals

All chemicals for laboratory experimentation were purchased from Sigma Chemical (Germany). Indomethacin, fluvoxamine, ranitidine, and thiopental sodium were obtained from Deva Holding-Turkey, Solvay-Turkey, Fako-Turkey and IE Uluagay-Turkey respectively.

Indomethacin-induced ulcer test

The antiulcer activities of fluvoxamine have been investigated in an indomethacin-induced ulcer models in rats [34]. Fluvoxamine in doses of 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg [35, 36] and ranitidine in a 50-mg/kg dose were administered to 24-hour fasted rat groups by oral gavage. An equal volume of distilled water was administered to the control group as a vehicle. Five minutes after drug administration, all groups received 25 mg/kg indomethacin orally. Six hours after indomethacin administration, all rat groups were killed with a high dose of thiopental sodium (50 mg/kg, intra-peritoneal). The stomachs of all of the rats were excised. Ulcer areas on the surfaces of the stomachs were examined macroscopically and measured on square-millimeter paper. The results obtained from the fluvoxamine groups were evaluated by comparing them with those of the control and ranitidine groups. Then, all of the stomachs (fluvoxamine groups, negative control group, positive control group, and intact groups) were kept in -80°C for biochemical investigation of glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.

The groups used for this ulcer experiment can be summarized as follows:

Group 1: Fluvoxamine 25 mg/kg + indomethacin 25 mg/kg

Group 2: Fluvoxamine 50 mg/kg + indomethacin 25 mg/kg

Group 3: Fluvoxamine 100 mg/kg + indomethacin 25 mg/kg

Group 4: Fluvoxamine 200 mg/kg + indomethacin 25 mg/kg

Group 5: Ranitidine 50 mg/kg + indomethacin 25 mg/kg

Group 6: Distilled water+ indomethacin 25 mg/kg

Group 7: Intact group which received only distilled water.

In addition to this ulcer experiment, we evaluated whether administration of fluxoxamine (25, 50 100 and 200 mg/kg doses) and ranitidine (50-mg/kg) to 24 hour fasted rats, in the absence of an indomethacin treatment, would also change biochemical parameters. For this purpose, a total of 36 rats were fasted for 24 hour with free access to water. Then the rats were divided into 6 (n = 6) groups and treated with fluvoxamine at doses of 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg and ranitidine at a 50-mg/kg dose. The last group received only distilled water as vehicle by oral gavage. Six hours after drug administration, all rats in all groups were killed with a high dose of thiopental sodium (50 mg/kg, intra-peritoneal). The stomachs of all of the rats were excised and were evaluated both macroscopically and biochemically, as described above.

Groups for this control experiment can be summarized as follows:

Group 1: Fluvoxamine 25 mg/kg

Group 2: Fluvoxamine 50 mg/kg

Group 3: Fluvoxamine 100 mg/kg

Group 4: Fluvoxamine 200 mg/kg

Group 5: Ranitidine 50 mg/kg

Group 6: Intact group which received only distilled water.

Biochemical analyses

Biochemical investigation of stomach tissues

After the macroscopic analyses, the glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) enzyme activities and levels in rat stomach tissues were determined. For this purpose stomachs of rats were frozen at -80°C before until biochemical investigations. To prepare the tissue homogenates, stomach tissues were ground with liquid nitrogen in a mortar. The ground tissues (0.5 g each) were then treated with 4.5 mL of an appropriate buffer. The mixtures were homogenized on ice using an Ultra-Turrax homogenizer for 15 min. Homogenates were filtered and centrifuged using a refrigerated centrifuge at 4°C. The supernatants were used for the determination of the enzymatic activities. All assays were carried out at room temperature in triplicate.

Total GSH determination

The amount of GSH in the gastric mucosa was measured according to the method of Sedlak and Lindsay [37]. The mucosal surface of the stomach was collected by scraping, weighed, and then homogenized in 2 mL 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer containing 20 mM EDTA and 0.2 mM sucrose, pH 7.5. The homogenate was immediately precipitated with 0.1 mL of 25% trichloroacetic acid, and the precipitate was removed by centrifugation at 4200 rpm for 40 min at 4°C. The supernatant was used to determine GSH using 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid. Absorbance was measured at 412 nm using a spectrophotometer. The results of the GSH level in the gastric mucosa were expressed as nanomoles per milligram tissue (nmol/mg tissue).

NO levels

Tissue NO levels were measured as total nitrite + nitrate levels with the use of the Griess reagent as previously described [38]. The Griess reagent consists of sulfanilamide and N-(1-napthyl)- ethylenediamine. The method is based on a-two-step process. The first step is the conversion of nitrate into nitrite using a nitrate reductase. The second step is the addition of the Griess reagent, which converts nitrite into a deep purple azo compound; photometric measurement of absobance at 540 nm is due to the fact that this azo chromophore accurately determines nitrite concentration. NO levels were expressed as μmol/g.

MPO activity

MPO activity was measured according to the modified method of Bradley et al. [39]. The homogenized samples were frozen and thawed three times, and centrifuged at 1500 g for 10 min at 4°C. MPO activity in the supernatant was determined by adding 100 mL of the supernatant to 1.9 mL of 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) and 1 mL of 1.5 mmol/L o-dianisidine hydrochloride containing 0.0005% (wt/vol) hydrogen peroxide. The changes in absorbance at 450 nm of each sample were recorded on a UV-vis spectrophotometer. MPO activity in gastric tissues was expressed as minimoles per minute per milligram tissue (mmol/min/mg tissue).

Determination of lipid peroxidation or MDA formation

The concentrations of gastric mucosal lipid peroxidation were determined by estimating MDA using the thiobarbituric acid test [40]. Briefly, the rat stomachs were promptly excised and rinsed with cold saline. To minimize the possibility of interference of hemoglobin with free radicals, any blood adhering to the mucosa was carefully removed. The corpus mucosa was scraped, weighed, and homogenized in 10 mL of 100 g/L KCl. The homogenate (0.5 mL) was added to a solution containing 0.2 mL of 80 g/L sodium lauryl sulfate, 1.5 mL of 200 g/L acetic acid, 1.5 mL of 8 g/L 2-thiobarbiturate, and 0.3 mL distilled water. The mixture was incubated at 98°C for 1 h. Upon cooling, 5 mL of n-butanol:pyridine (15:l) was added. The mixture was vortexed for 1 min and centrifuged for 30 min at 4000 rpm. The absorbance of the supernatant was measured at 532 mn. A standard curve was generated using 1,1,3,3-tetramethoxypropane. The recovery was over 90%. The results were expressed as nanomoles MDA per gram wet tissue (nmol/mg tissue).

Statistical analyses

Data are presented as means ± Standard Error (SE). Enzyme activity and ulcer score results were subjected to one-way ANOVA, with presence of negative and positive controls, using SPSS 11.0 software. Differences among groups were attained using least significant difference (LSD) option, and significance was declared at P < 0.05.

Results

Indomethacin-induced ulcer test

Macroscopic lesions with evident borderlines in various forms and sizes were dispersed irregularly on all stomach surfaces in the stomach tissue of the control rats which received indomethacin. Hyperemia was more evident in the control group which received indomethacin when compared to the groups which received fluvoxamine and ranitidine. The severity of hyperemia was paralleled with an increase in ulcers. As seen in Table 1, a decrease in ulcer occurrence of 48%, 67.5%, 82.1%, and 96.1% occurred in the stomachs of rat groups which received 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg fluvoxamine. The antiulcer effect of 50 mg/kg ranitidine was 86.5%. No differences were observed in the absence of indomethacin treatment following any dose of fluvoxamine or ranitidine.

Table 1 Effects of flovoksamine (FLU) and ranitidine (RAN) on indomethacin (IND) induced ulcers in rats.
Full size table

Results of biochemical analyses

All doses of fluvoxamine and ranitidine significantly decreased the amount of GSH in stomach tissues when compared to healthy intact rats, when administered alone However, a 25 mg/kg dose of fluvoxamine did not affect the levels of other parameters that we measured (MDA, NO and MPO) when compared to healthy intact rats (Table 2). At doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg fluvoxamine significantly decreased the levels of MDA and MPO and increased the level of NO in stomach tissue when compared to intact healthy rat group. Similar changes were observed in tissues from ranitidine-treated rats. Indomethacin application significantly decreased the levels of antioxidant parameters, GSH and NO, and significantly increased the levels of oxidant parameters, MPO and MDA. All doses of fluvoxamine and ranitidine which were co-administrated with indomethacin reversed the negative effects of indomethacin on stomach tissue (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4).

Figure 1
figure 1

Effects of fluvoxamine (FLU)+indomethacin (IND), ranitidine (RAN)+indomethacin (IND) and alone indomethacin (IND) on tGSH levels in the stomach tissues of rats. *Significant at p < 0.05 when compared to control.

Full size image
Figure 2
figure 2

Effects of fluvoxamine (FLU)+indomethacin (IND), ranitidine (RAN)+indomethacin (IND) and alone indomethacin (IND) on NO levels in the stomach tissues of rats. *Significant at p < 0.05 when compared to control.

Full size image
Figure 3
figure 3

Effects of fluvoxamine (FLU)+indomethacin (IND), ranitidine (RAN)+indomethacin (IND) and alone indomethacin (IND) on MPO levels in the stomach tissues of rats. *Significant at p < 0.05 when compared to control.

Full size image
Figure 4
figure 4

Effects of fluvoxamine (FLU)+indomethacin (IND), ranitidine (RAN)+indomethacin (IND) and alone indomethacin (IND) on MDA levels in the stomach tissues of rats. *Significant at p < 0.05 when compared to control.

Full size image
Table 2 Effects of fluvoxamine (FLU) alone and ranitidine (RAN) alone on tGSH, NO, MPO, and MDA levels in the stomach tissues of rats.
Full size table

Discussion

In this study, the antiulcer effect of fluvoxamine was investigated in rats using an indomethacin-induced ulcer model. In addition, the effect of fluvoxamine on oxidant and antioxidant parameters in rat stomach tissue was evaluated. Fluvoxamine was found to significantly inhibit indomethacin-induced ulcers at all doses tested. The antiulcer capacity of fluvoxamine was determined to be dose-dependent; 200 mg/kg dose of fluvoxamine inhibited indomethacin-induced ulcers more significantly than did ranitidine.

Indomethacin has been shown to produce higher gastric damage in rats when compared to other NSAIDs [41]. For this reason, it has become the preferred drug for inducing ulcer models. In many experimental studies, antidepressant drugs have been shown to produce antiulcer effects by reducing histamine secretion from mast cells, inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and blockading leukotriene (LTC4, D4, E4) receptors [42, 43]. Apart from these factors, the important primary factor in indomethacin-induced gastric damage is ROS mediated lipid peroxidation [44] Fluvoxamine, a SSRI drug, inhibits the CYP 1A2 enzyme [26], which is known to produce ROS [27]. For this reason, we investigated fluvoxamine effects on GSH, NO, MPO, and MDA activities in the indomethacin-induced ulcerous stomach tissue of rats, as a first approach at investigating the mechanism behind the antiulcer effects of fluvoxamine.

The roles of toxic oxygen radicals were determined in etiopathogenesis of indomethacin- induced gastric damage [44]. Antioxidant parameters have been shown to be reduced in stomach tissue damaged by indomethacin [45]. Our experimental results are in line with these previous data. Fluvoxamine significantly prevented the negative effect of indomethacin on gastric GSH levels at all doses used. The gastric GSH level was highest at the most effective dose of fluvoxamine. In addition, the GSH level was lower at the 25 mg/kg dose, which had the lowest antiulcer effect. All doses of fluvoxamine and ranitidine also increased the GSH content significantly when administered in the absence of an indomethacin treatment. Our experimental results and the previously published literature data indicate that there is an important relationship between gastric GSH levels and ulcer severity. In tissue, GSH and GSH-related enzymes are accepted as important protective agents due to their antioxidant properties [46].

NSAID treatment causes reduction of these antioxidants and initiates lipid peroxidation in stomach tissue, resulting in gastric damage [47]. All doses of fluvoxamine used in our experiment (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) restored the GSH levels in gastric tissue which were decreased by indomethacin; this affected the antioxidant defense system positively and reduced gastric damage. GSH detoxifies hydrogen peroxide and/or organic acids chemically; hydrogen peroxide accumulates in the absence of GSH [48]. In the presence of transition metals such as Fe and Cu, hydrogen peroxide reacts with superoxide resulting in the formation of hydroxyl radical, the most reactive and cytotoxic form of ROS [49].

In stomach tissue damaged by indomethacin, NO levels have been shown to be reduced [50]. NO is known to modulate acid levels, gastric mucus secretion, and blood flow in gastric tissues [51]. NO has also been reported to prevent membrane lipid peroxidation [52]. NO levels have been shown to be reduced in damaged stomach tissue [53]. Khattab et al reported that L-arginine almost completely protects against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. The mechanism for this is independent of any modulation of acid secretion, mucin content, or pepsin activity, but appears to occur via maintenance of mucosal NO. This study also demonstrated that the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, aggravated ulcer formation [54]. In the current study, all doses of fluvoxamine, which exerted a significant antiulcer effect, also increased gastric NO levels significantly when compared to the control. A parallel between the decrease of NO levels and severity of gastric damage was also noted. Therefore, we can conclude that the antiulcer effects of fluvoxamine could be mitigated by L-NAME application, similar to the effect potentiated by L-arginine application. In our experiment, ranitidine was also shown to increase NO levels significantly when compared to control. Our results are in line with those reported previously in the literature [30].

Indomethacin has been shown to produce damage via increasing mucosal MPO and MDA levels in gastric tissue [55]. MPO exists in polymorph nuclear leukocyte cells (PNL) and catalyses the formation of toxic hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from hydrogen peroxide [56]. In addition, polymorph nuclear leukocytes (PNLs) excessively produce superoxide anion (O2-) and hydroxyl radical (OH-), which are free oxygen radicals [57]. Excessive production of MPO and other reactive radicals cause oxidative damage; oxidative damage is represented by measuring lipid peroxidation levels [58]. Lipid peroxidation is an important reason for cell membrane damage; MDA is the end product of lipid peroxidation and is used to determine lipid peroxidation levels [59]. Gastric MPO and MDA increases resulting from indomethacin application were decreased by fluvoxamine. Fluvoxamine decreased levels of oxidant parameters and increased those of antioxidant parameters not only in rats given indomethacin, but also in healthy, intact rats.

CYP1A2 enzymes are also known to produce ROS [27]. Fluvoxamine inhibited these enzymes [26]. So above mentioned antioxidative effects of fluvoxamine may also be related to inhibition of CYP1A2 enzymes.

Gastric side effects of SSRI drugs have been reported [31]. The combined usage of SSRI drugs and indomethacin has been reported to cause gastrointestinal bleeding [60]. However, several novel arylpiperazine serotonin 1A receptor (5HT1-A) agonists, developed as anxiolytics, were shown to have antisecretory and gastroprotective effects in rats [61]. In addition, 5HT1-A antagonists increase the potency of serotonin-related contractions in stomach tissue [62], while the 5HT1-A agonist buspiron decreases stomach and intestinal distension [63]. In the light of this literature, it can be hypothesized that the antiulcer effect of fluvoxamine may be related to a stimulation of 5HT1-A receptors, but further detailed studies are required to clarify this point.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we report that fluvoxamine has antiulcer effects. Indomethacin causes gastric damage by not only inhibiting cyto-protective PG synthesis, but also by affecting oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms, such as GSH, NO, MPO, and MDA. Fluvoxamine appears to exert its antiulcer effects by activation of antioxidant mechanisms and inhibition of toxic oxidant mechanisms in stomach tissues.

References

  1. Mózsik G, Jávor T: A biochemical and pharmacological approach to the genesis of ulcer disease. I. A model study of ethanol-induced injury to gastric mucosa in rats. Dig Dis Sci. 1988, 33: 92-105. 10.1007/BF01536637.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Davies GR, Simmonds NJ, Stevens TR, Sheaff MT, Banatvala N, Laurenson IF, Blake DR, Rampton DS: Helicobacter pylori stimulates antral mucosal reactive oxygen metabolite production in vivo. Gut. 1994, 35: 179-185. 10.1136/gut.35.2.179.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Ding SZ, Lam SK, Yuen ST, Wong BC, Hui WM, Ho J, Guo X, Cho CH: Prostaglandin, tumor necrosis factor alpha and neutrophils: causative relationship in indomethacin-induced stomach injuries. Eur J Pharmacol. 1998, 348: 257-163. 10.1016/S0014-2999(98)00162-9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Hooderwerf WA, Pasricha PJ: Pharmacotherapy of gastric acidity, peptic ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Goodman and Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. Edited by: Brunton L. 2006, New-York: Mc Graw-Hill, 967-981.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Brzozowski T, Konturek PC, Chlopicki S, Sliwowski Z, Pawlik M, Ptak Belowska A, Kwiecien S, Drozdowicz D, Pajdo R, Slonimska E, Konturek SJ, Pawli WW: Therapeutic potential of 1-methylnicotinamide against acute gastric lesions induced by stress: role of endogenous prostacyclin and sensory nerves. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2008, 326: 105-116. 10.1124/jpet.108.136457.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Kwiecień S, Pawlik MW, Sliwowski Z, Kwiecień N, Brzozowski T, Pawlik WW, Konturek SJ: Involvement of sensory afferent fibers and lipid peroxidation in the pathogenesis of stress-induced gastric mucosa damage. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007, 58 (Suppl 3): 149-162.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Guldahl M: The effect of trimipramine (Surmontil r) on masked depression in patients with duodenal ulcer. A double-blind study. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1977, 43: 27-31.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Olden KW: The use of antidepressants in functional gastrointestinal disorders: new uses for old drugs. CNS Spectr. 2005, 10: 891-896.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Shrivastava RK, Siegal H, Lawlor R, Shah BK, Dayican G: Doxepin therapy for duodenal ulcer: a controlled trial in patients who failed to respond to cimetidine. Clin Ther. 1985, 7: 319-326.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Andersen OK, Bergsåker-Aspøy J, Halvorsen L, Giercksky KE: Doxepin in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A double-blind clinical study comparing doxepin and placebo. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1984, 19: 923-925.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gabry KE, Chrousos GP, Rice KC, Mostafa RM, Sternberg E, Negrao AB, Webster EL, McCann SM, Gold PW: Marked suppression of gastric ulcerogenesis and intestinal responses to stress by a novel class of drugs. Mol Psychiatry. 2002, 7: 474-483. 10.1038/sj.mp.4001031.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Keshavarzian A, Wibowo A, Gordon JH, Fields JZ: MPTP-induced duodenal ulcers in rat. Prevention by reuptake blockers for serotonin and norepinephrine, but not dopamine. Gastroenterology. 1990, 98: 554-560.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sen T, Abdul Salam CA, Pal S, Sen S, Nag Chaudhuri AK: Effect of dothiepin on gastric ulceration mediated by lipid derived eicosanoids. Life Sci. 2000, 66: PL325-30. 10.1016/S0024-3205(00)00561-0.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Fernández de la Gandara F, Casas Carnicero J, Velasco Martin A: Effects of antidepressants on alcohol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1989, 11: 635-639.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Utkan T, Ulak G, Yildiran HG, Yardimoglu M, Gacar MN: Investigation on the mechanism involved in the effects of agmatine on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Life Sci. 2000, 66: 1705-1711. 10.1016/S0024-3205(00)00493-8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bilici M, Ozturk C, Dursun H, Albayrak F, Saglam MB, Uyanik A, Gulaboglu M, Tekin SB: Protective effect of mirtazapine on indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats and its relationship with oxidant and antioxidant parameters. Dig Dis Sci.

  17. Pare WP: Stress ulcer susceptibility and depression inWistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Physiol Behav. 1989, 46: 993-998. 10.1016/0031-9384(89)90203-5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Glavin GB: Vulnerability to stress ulcerogenesis in rats differing in anxiety: a dopaminergic correlate. J Physiol Paris. 1993, 87: 239-243. 10.1016/0928-4257(93)90011-H.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Sjodin I, Svedlund J, Dotevall G, Gillberg R: Symptom profiles in chronic peptic ulcer disease. A detailed study of abdominal and mental symptoms. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1985, 20: 419-427. 10.3109/00365528509089674.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Feldman M, Walker P, Green JL, Weingarden K: Life events stres and psychosocial factors in men with peptic ulcer disease. A multidimensional case-controlled study. Gastroenterology. 1986, 91: 1370-1379.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Ries RK, Gilbert DA, Katon W: Tricyclic antidepressant therapy for peptic ulcer disease. Arch Intern Med. 1984, 144: 566-569. 10.1001/archinte.144.3.566. 24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Mangla JC, Pereira M: Tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Arch Intern Med. 1982, 142: 273-275. 10.1001/archinte.142.2.273.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Shrivastava RK, Siegel H: The role of tricyclics and benzodiazepine compounds in the treatment of irritable gut syndrome and peptic ulcer disease. Psychopharmacol Bull. 1984, 20: 616-621.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Haggerty JJ, Drossman DA: Use of psychotropic drugs in patients with peptic ulcer. Psychosomatics. 1985, 26: 277-280. 283–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Shrivastava RK, Shah BK, Siegal H: Doxepin and cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer: a double-blind comparative study. Clin Ther. 1985, 7: 181-189.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Spina E, Santoro V, D'Arrigo C: Clinically relevant pharmacokinetic drug interactions with second-generation antidepressants: an update. Clin Ther. 2008, 30: 1206-1227. 10.1016/S0149-2918(08)80047-1.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Schlezinger JJ, White RD, Stegeman JJ: Oxidative inactivation of cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) stimulated by 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl: production of reactive oxygen by vertebrate CYP1As. Mol Pharmacol. 1999, 56: 588-597.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Itoh M, Guth PH: Role of oxygen-derived free radicals in hemorrhagic shock-induced gastric lesions in the rat. Gastroenterology. 1985, 88: 1162-1167.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Jainu M, Devi CS: Gastroprotective action of Cissus quadrangularis extract against NSAID induced gastric ulcer: role of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage. Chem Biol Interact. 2006, 161: 262-270. 10.1016/j.cbi.2006.04.011.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bayir Y, Odabasoglu F, Cakir A, Aslan A, Suleyman H, Halici M, Kazaz C: The inhibition of gastric mucosal lesion, oxidative stress and neutrophil-infiltration in rats by the lichen constituent diffractaic acid. Phytomedicine. 2006, 13: 584-590. 10.1016/j.phymed.2005.07.002.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Lewis JD, Strom BL, Localio AR, Metz DC, Farrar JT, Weinrieb RM, Nessel L, Brensinger C, Kimmel SE: Moderate and high affinity serotonin reuptake inhibitors increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal toxicity. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2008, 17: 328-335. 10.1002/pds.1546.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Ma J, Vaillancourt R, Boddam R, Auger S, Sampalis J: Association between antidepressant use and prescribing of gastric acid suppressants. Can J Psychiatry. 2006, 51: 178-184.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Yamaguchi T, Hidaka N, Suemaru K, Araki H: The coadministration of paroxetine and low-dose aspirin synergistically enhances gastric ulcerogenic risk in rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2008, 31: 1371-1375. 10.1248/bpb.31.1371.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Guidobono F, Pagani F, Ticozzi C, Sibilia V, Pecile A, Netti C: Protection by amylin of gastric erosions induced by indomethacin or ethanol in rats. Br J Pharmacol. 1997, 120: 581-586. 10.1038/sj.bjp.0700941.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Shinozaki T, Kimura M, Hosoyamada M, Shibasaki T: Fluvoxamine inhibits weight gain and food intake in food restricted hyperphagic Wistar rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2008, 31: 2250-2254. 10.1248/bpb.31.2250.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Isohanni MH, Neuvonen PJ, Olkkola KT: Effect of fluvoxamine and erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics of oral lidocaine. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2006, 99: 168-172. 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2006.pto_482.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Sedlak J, Lindsay RH: Estimation of total, protein-bound, and nonprotein sulfhydryls groups in tissue with Ellman's reagent. Anal Biochem. 1968, 25: 192-205. 10.1016/0003-2697(68)90092-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Moshage H, Kok B, Huizenga JR, Jansen PL: Nitrite and nitrate determinations in plasma: a critical evaluation. Clin Chem. 1995, 41: 892-6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Bradley PP, Priebat DA, Christensen RD, Rothstein G: Measurement of cutaneous inflammation: Estimation of neutrophil content with an enzyme marker. J Invest Dermatol. 1982, 78: 206-209. 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12506462.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Ohkawa H, Ohishi H, Yagi K: Assay for lipid peroxide in animal tissues by thiobarbutiric acid reaction. Analytical Biochemistry. 1979, 95: 351-358. 10.1016/0003-2697(79)90738-3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Takeuchi K, Tanaka A, Hayashi Y, Yokota A: COX inhibition and NSAID-induced gastric damage – roles in various pathogenic events. Curr Top Med Chem. 2005, 5: 475-486. 10.2174/1568026054201668.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Hano J, Bugajski J, Wantuch C: The effect of drugs interfering with biogenic amines metabolism on gastric secretion and reserpine-ulcers development in rats. Pol J Pharmacol Pharm. 1978, 30: 501-511.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Theoharides TC, Bondy PK, Tsakalos ND, Askenase PW: Differential release of serotonin and histamine from mast cells. Nature. 1982, 297: 229-231. 10.1038/297229a0.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Naito Y, Yoshikawa T, Yoshida N, Kondo M: Role of oxygen radical and lipid peroxidation in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury. Dig Dis Sci. 1998, 43: 30S-34S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Hassan A, Martin E, Puig-Parellada P: Role of antioxidants in gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin in rats. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1998, 20: 849-54. 10.1358/mf.1998.20.10.487540.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Meister A, Anderson ME: Glutathione. Annu Rev Biochem. 1983, 52: 711-60. 10.1146/annurev.bi.52.070183.003431.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Chattopadhyay I, Bandyopadhyay U, Biswas K, Maity P, Banerjee RK: Indomethacin inactivates gastric peroxidase to induce reactive-oxygen-mediated gastric mucosal injury and curcumin protects it by preventing peroxidase inactivation and scavenging reactive oxygen. Free Radic Biol Med. 2006, 40: 1397-408. 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2005.12.016.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Dalle-Donne I, Rossi R, Giustarini D, Milzani A, Colombo R: Protein carbonyl groups as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Clin Chim Acta. 2003, 329: 23-38. 10.1016/S0009-8981(03)00003-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Malo C, Wilson JX: Glucose modulates vitamin C transport in adult human small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles. J Nutr. 2000, 130: 63-9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Lanas A, Bajador E, Serrano P, Fuentes J, Carreño S, Guardia J, Sanz M, Montoro M, Sáinz R: Nitrovasodilators, low-dose aspirin, other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. N Engl J Med. 2000, 343: 834-9. 10.1056/NEJM200009213431202.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Martín MJ, Jiménez MD, Motilva V: New issues about nitric oxide and its effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Curr Pharm Des. 2001, 7: 881-908. 10.2174/1381612013397645.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Hogg N, Kalyanaraman B: Nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1999, 1411: 378-84. 10.1016/S0005-2728(99)00027-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Cadirci E, Suleyman H, Aksoy H, Halici Z, Ozgen U, Koc A, Ozturk N: Effects of Onosma armeniacum root extract on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in stomach tissue of rats. Chem Biol Interact. 2007, 170: 40-8. 10.1016/j.cbi.2007.06.040.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Khattab MM, Gad MZ, Abdallah D: Protective role of nitric oxide in indomethacine-induced gastric ulceration by a mechanism independent of gastric acid secretion. Pharmacol Res. 2001, 43: 463-467. 10.1006/phrs.2001.0801.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Odabasoglu F, Halici Z, Cakir A, Halici M, Aygun H, Suleyman H, Cadirci E, Atalay F: Beneficial effects of vegetable oils (corn, olive and sunflower oils) and alpha-tocopherol on anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal profiles of indomethacin in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008, 591: 300-306. 10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.06.075.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Hiraishi H, Terano A, Ota S, Mutoh H, Sugimoto T, Harada T, Razandi M, Ivey KJ: Protection of cultured rat gastric cells against oxidant-induced damage by exogenous glutathione. Gastroenterology. 1994, 106: 1199-207.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Suzuki M, Mori M, Miura S, Suematsu M, Fukumura D, Kimura H, Ishii H: Omeprazole attenuates oxygen-derived free radical production from human neutrophils. Free Radic Biol Med. 1996, 21: 727-31. 10.1016/0891-5849(96)00180-3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Peralta C, Rull R, Rimola A, Deulofeu R, Roselló-Catafau J, Gelpí E, Rodés J: Endogenous nitric oxide and exogenous nitric oxide supplementation in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat. Transplantation. 2001, 71: 529-36. 10.1097/00007890-200102270-00008.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Nielsen F, Mikkelsen BB, Nielsen JB, Andersen HR, Grandjean P: Plasma malondialdehyde as biomarker for oxidative stress: reference interval and effects of life-style factors. Clin Chem. 1997, 43: 1209-14.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. de Abajo FJ, Rodríguez LA, Montero D: Association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and upper gastrointestinal bleeding: population based case-control study. BMJ. 1999, 319: 1106-1109.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  61. Glavin GB, Alvarez I, Colombo M, Farré AJ: Effects of a novel 5-HT1A receptor agonist, E on gastric adherent mucus levels following restraint stress in rats. Dig Dis Sci. 4424, 40: 2317-2320. 10.1007/BF02063231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Burka JF, Blair RMJ, Hogan JE: Characterization of the muscarinic and serotoninergic receptors of the intestine of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1989, 67: 477-482.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Tack JA: A placebo-controlled trial of buspirone, a fundus-relaxing drug in functional dyspepsia: effect an symptoms and gastric sensory and motor function. Gastroenterol. 1999, 116: A325-

    Google Scholar 

Pre-publication history

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our thanks to Associate Prof. Dr. Zekai Halici for his contribution to this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Ataturk University, Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey

    Hakan Dursun & Fatih Albayrak

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Ataturk University, Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey

    Mehmet Bilici

  3. Department of Anatomy, Erzurum Numune Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey

    Cengiz Ozturk

  4. Department of Pharmacology, Ataturk University, Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey

    Mustafa B Saglam & Halis Suleyman

  5. Department of Biochemistry, Ataturk University, Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey

    Hamit H Alp

Authors
  1. Hakan Dursun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mehmet Bilici
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fatih Albayrak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cengiz Ozturk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mustafa B Saglam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hamit H Alp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Halis Suleyman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Halis Suleyman.

Additional information

Competing interests

None of the authors has a commercial interest, financial interest, and/or other relationship with manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, laboratory supplies, and/or medical devices or with commercial providers of medically related services.

Authors' contributions

HD participated in the sequence alignment and drafted the manuscript. MB participated in the sequence alignment. FA participated in the design of the study and performed the statistical analysis. CO evaluated the results with an anatomical perspective, and participated in study design. MBS carried out the animal experiments and participated in the sequence alignment. HHA performed the biochemical experiments. HS conceived of the study, and participated in its design and coordination. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dursun, H., Bilici, M., Albayrak, F. et al. Antiulcer activity of fluvoxamine in rats and its effect on oxidant and antioxidant parameters in stomach tissue. BMC Gastroenterol 9, 36 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-9-36

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-9-36

Keywords

BMC Gastroenterology

ISSN: 1471-230X

Contact us