Gastric anti-ulcer and cytoprotective effect of vitamin E in rats.

Effect of vitamin E on the gastric mucosal damage induced by hypothermic restraint stress, indomethacin, reserpine, hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride and ethanol has been studied in rats. The results demonstrate that pretreatment of animals with vitamin E produces a significant inhibition of gastric lesions induced by above mentioned agents. An increase in the synthesis of prostaglandins, and high level of glutathione in tissues of vitamin E treated animals have been suggested as a possible mechanism of anti-ulcer activity of -tocopherol. However, further studies are required to confirm these effects and to determine the role of vitamin E in the prophylaxis and treatment of peptic ulcer disease.