Evidence is presented that supports a role of oxygen free radicals in the pathogenesis of various disorders of the digestive system. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the role of oxygen free radicals which are responsible for tissue damage in ischemic conditions and oxygen free radical scavengers in ethanol induced hemorrhagic gastritis. A total of 60 rats were grouped in six: A control group, ethanol induced hemorrhagic gastrit group, ethanol-sucralfat, ethanol-scavengers (namely allopurinol, E vitamin, and Ginkgo bliabo extract). As a result, allopurinol and E vitamin decrease both macroscopic and microscopic lesion and also blockade lipid peroxidation. in the Ginkgo bliabo extract and sucralfat groups there were extensive eresions as compared with allopurinol and E vitamin. These results suggest that removing oxygen derived free radicals may prove to be an added dimension in the management of ethanol induced erosive gastritis.

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