Abstract
Aim: This study investigated possible mechanisms underlying the gastroprotective effect of nicorandil on experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to vehicle-, nicorandil (10 mg/kg)-, glibenclamide (6 mg/kg)-, nicorandil + glibenclamide- and cimetidine-pretreated groups, in addition to non-stressed control group, to demonstrate whether the K<sub>ATP </sub>channel opening contributed to nicorandil’s gastroprotection. Lesions were induced by water immersion-restraint stress (WIRS) and ulcer indices were determined. Gastric juice parameters (pH, acid output, pepsin and mucin concentrations) were determined. Another set of rats was divided into control, saline-pretreated and nicorandil (10 mg/kg)-pretreated groups. Rats underwent WIRS and their stomachs were used for determination of gastric mucosal lipid peroxides, histamine, PGE<sub>2</sub>, and total nitrites levels. Results: Nicorandil displayed significant protection against gastric lesions formation, abolished by concomitant administration of glibenclamide. Nicorandil significantly reduced gastric acid and pepsin secretion, but upon coadministration with glibenclamide, these effects were blocked. Additionally, nicorandil significantly reduced gastric mucosal lipid peroxides and total nitrites, but did not affect PGE<sub>2</sub> and histamine levels. Conclusion: Results confirm a gastroprotective effect for nicorandil, the mechanism of which comprises K<sub>ATP</sub> channel opening, free radical scavenging, decrease of pepsin and acid secretion and prevention of the detrimental rise in nitric oxide during WIRS.
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