Gastroprotective Capability of Exogenous Phosphatidylcholine in Experimentally Induced Chronic Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Abstract

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a main component of the hydrophobic gastric mucosal barrier. Exogenously administered, it prevents acute lesions. We evaluated the gastroprotective capacity of exogenous PC in both acute (ethanol- and indomethacin-induced) and chronic (indomethacin-induced) lesions in rats. Polyunsaturated (PPC) or hydrogenated PC in different concentrations were given intragastrically, before or after the injury factor, in single or repeated doses. Mucosal lesions were significantly reduced by a single dose of PPC, given before or after the injury factor, in both acute models. In the chronic model a single dose of PPC or hydrogenated PC significantly reduced lesions evaluated 6 h after ulcer induction, whereas after 72 h no protective effect was noticed. Repeated doses of PC were ineffective. In conclusion, in acute models exogenous PC reduces lesions in a dose-dependent manner and contributes to the mucosal defense. In chronic models an incomplete and temporary protection might be due to complex pathogenesis that requires activation of all levels in the mucosal defense. Strengthening of only one level was insufficient to restrict injury.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Phosphatidylcholine

“…In animal studies exogenous phospholipids or phospholipids contained in food have been shown to prevent mucosal damage induced by acids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or bile salts in the stomach, duodenum, and small intestine (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). Exogenous PC inhibits inflammation in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid or acetic acid-induced colitis and is described to be anti-fibrinogenetic (24,25).…”

Protective effect of oral phosphatidylcholine on radiation-induced release of intestinal peptidases in rats

“…The cytoprotective eect of``essential'' phospholipids has been demonstrated in several experiments (Barrios et al 2000;Mi et al 2000;Navder et al 1997;Dunjic et al 1993;Kuntz 1991;Lekim and Graf 1976;Lieber et al 1994). In addition, curative and regenerative eects have been seen in the studies.…”

“…The cytoprotective eect of these polyunsaturated substances has been demonstrated in several investigations (Anand et al 1999;Aleynik et al 1997;Buko et al 1994;Poon et al 1981;Kuntz 1991;Homann et al 1982;Dunjic et al 1993;Keelan et al 1990;Dargel et al 1991;Lekim and Graf 1976;Oette et al 1995).…”

Phosphatidylcholine does not protect rats against 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid-induced damage of the intestinal luminal mucosa

“…has a membrane-stabilizing effect on the intestinal mucosa of rats, which were injured by a single fraction of radiation (Fittkau et al 2001a). The cytoprotective effect of this polyunsaturated substance has been demonstrated in several experiments (Buko et al 1994(Buko et al , 1996Dunjic et al 1993;Oette et al 1995;Lieber et al 1994;Lieber 1997). ''Essential'' phospholipids constitute vital elements of biological membranes in cells and organelles.…”