Abstract

In this experimental study we tried to evaluate the role of oxygen free radicals (OFR) which are responsible f or tissue damage in ischemic conditions and OFR scavengers in stress induced gastric ulceration. A total of 46 rats were grouped in 5: A control group, stress group, stress+scavenger (namely allopurinol, DMSO, SOD). MDA, which is a metabolyte formed after peroxidation of the lipids of cell membran with the influence of OFR was found to be significantly high in the stress group compared to control group. This may indicate that accumulated OFR in gastric mucosal cell in stress is hazardous. MDA levels were significantly lowered in groups where scavengers were administered. In histopathologic examinations, there were extensive mucosal erosions in stress group, tike the scavenger groups. However in SOD group the erosions were significantly superficial unlike other scavengers. We concluded that OFR may not take a dominant role in stress induced gastric lesions but SOD may be effective in prophylaxis.