Evaluation of Long Term Alcohol Consumption on Gastric Acid Secretion and the Histomorphometry of the Stomach in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating to check the effects of long term consumption of varying concentrations of alcohol on gastric acid secretions and the histomorphometry of the stomach of adult male Wistar rats, and the possible ameliorative effect of omega-3 fish oil. Eighty (80) adult male Wistar rats weighing 180-230 gm were used. The rats were divided into eight groups containing ten (10) rats each group. Group I served as the control; Groups II, III and IV were given 5%, 20% and 40% alcohol respectively; Groups V, VI and VII were given 5% alcohol+Omega-3 fish oil; 20% alcohol+Omega-3 fish oil and 40% alcohol+Omega-3 fish oil, respectively. The Group VIII was administered Omega-3 fish oil alone. The alcohol was given at a dose of 0.005 ml/g body weight once daily using an orogastric canular. The Omega-3 fish oil was given at a dose of 0.2 ml/g body weight. Alcohol administration lasted for twelve weeks, at the end of which the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Gastric secretions were estimated, and tissues samples from the stomach collected for histomorphometric studies. The results showed that 20% alcohol caused a significant increase in gastric acid secretion when compared with the control and omega-3 only group. 40% and omega-3 group caused a decrease in gastric acid secretion when compared with the control. The histomorphometry of the stomach revealed a decrease in parietal cell and mucous cell count with increasing alcohol concentrations. Omega-3 administration showed only mild amelioration to these digestive alterations.