Protective effect of ketoconazole against experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats.

Recent studies suggest the critical role of inflammatory mediators in the genesis and healing of gastric ulcers. Ketoconazole a commonly used anti-fungal agent has a potent immunomodulatory action. The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of ketoconazole on chemically and stress induced gastric ulcers in rats. Experimental gastric lesions in rats were induced by water immersion restraint stress, indomethacin and ethanol. Acid secretion studies were undertaken in pylorus ligated rats with and without ketoconazole. The level of myeloperoxidase (marker of neutrophil activity) non-protein sulfhydryl compounds and gastric wall mucus were measured after ethanol induced gastric lesions. Ketoconazole treatment resulted in significant protection against stress; indomethacin and ethanol induced gastric lesions in rats. Ketoconazole also dose dependently attenuated ethanol induced increase in myeloperoxidase activity and protected gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced depletion of non-protein sulfhydryl. These findings point towards the mediation of neutrophils and sulfhydryl compounds in ketoconazole induced cytoprotection. In conclusion, this study clearly shows anti-acid secretory, anti-ulcer and cytoprotective activity of ketoconazole.