Viscous methyl cellulose solution thickens gastric mucosa and increases the number of gland mucous cells in mice

Abstract

We have observed a stiffening of the gastric wall in mice following oral administration of viscous methyl cellulose (MC) solution as a vehicle for food chemicals, an effect which has not previously been reported. To further investigate this effect, young male ICR mice (n 48) were divided into four groups (one control and three experimental groups) of twelve mice each. Experimental groups I, II and III were administered 0·2 ml of 0·5 % (w/v) MC viscous solution/d via a stomach tube for 2, 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. Stomachs were collected following 12 h fasting. The weight of the stomach and mucosa of seven mice per group was measured, and the mucosa was used for the measurement of 8-oxo-2 0 -deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Stomach tissue slices from the remaining five mice per group were stained with haematoxylin and eosin to measure mucosal thickness, and were immunostained with an HIK1083 antibody to determine the number of gastric gland mucous cells. The mucosal thickness of the groups administered the MC solution for 3 and 4 weeks, and the size of the HIK1083-immunostained area of the groups administered the MC solution for 2, 3 and 4 weeks were significantly increased (P,0·01) compared with those of the control group. The amount of 8-oxodG was not significantly affected. These results indicate that oral administration of viscous MC solution leads to the thickening of the gastric mucosa, which may be related to an increase in the number of gland mucous cells.

The impact of dietary fibre intake on the physiology and health of the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract

“…a long-term upregulation in mucus production). Similar results were seen with a relatively low daily dosage (250 mg) of methylcellulose given to male mice over 2-4-week time periods resulted in an increased number of mucus cells within the gastric mucosa (Takabayashi & Sekiguchi, 2013). A single oral dosage of guar gum or a mixture of orange pulp and guar gum at 160 mg/kg in male Wistar rats resulted in a significant increase in estimated mucosa-adherent gastric mucus compared to a saline control after a 4.5 h time period (Magri et al, 2007).…”

Nanofibers Embedded with Nanoparticles as Carriers for the Controlled Release of Anticancer Drug: Promoting the Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cell Line and Growth Inhibition of Microbial Strains

“…It could support chemotherapy along with the drugs by generating reactive oxygen species that directly damages DNA, proteins, and lipid molecules of the cancer cells. , In order to reduce the risk of nanoparticles in damaging the healthy tissues, hydrophilic and natural polymers such as polyethylene glycol and methylcellulose can be used as capping agents . Methylcellulose (MC) is nonimmunogenic, safe, and proven biomaterial that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mostly used as a mucosal protectant to restrict the mucosal toxicity that occurs because of chemotherapy. − Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is found to be a well-recognized FDA-approved hydrophilic polymer that is largely used in drug delivery due to its nontoxicity, as well as its nonimmunogenic, bioinert, highly bioavailable, and solubility properties . These polymers could improve the biological performance and also act as a capping agent for nanoparticles to suppress the platelet adhesion, decreasing thrombus formation and other cytotoxic effects .…”