Protective Effects of Alogliptin AgainstIndomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats
Background: Notwithstanding the availability of efficacious antiulcer drugs, concerns over their safety have motivated the lookup of alternate or adjunctive therapies. Drug repurposing is a practical, low-risk, and cost-effective approach. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, such as alogliptin, have pleiotropic effects beyond glucose regulation, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which may protect the gastric mucosa.
Objectives: To evaluate the gastroprotective potential of alogliptin against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats.
Methods: Albino rats were assigned randomly to four groups (n = 6): normal control, positive control, omeprazole (20 mg/kg), and alogliptin (3 mg/kg). The treatments were administered for eight consecutive days. All pretreatment groups, except the normal control group, received a single oral dose of indomethacin (50 mg/kg) to induce gastric ulceration. The rats were sacrificed after 6 h, and their stomachs were collected for assessment. Gastric juice volume and pH were measured, and gastric tissues were evaluated both macroscopically and microscopically. Antioxidant markers, including GPx, SOD, and MDA, were measured.
Results: Pretreatment with alogliptin significantly reduced ulcer number by 32.1% and severity by 37.9%. GPx and SOD activities were significantly restored by 44% and 43%, respectively. It also significantly decreased MDA levels by 45.6% compared to the positive control group. Histopathology revealed marked preservation of the gastric mucosal architecture, with reduced necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration.
Conclusion: Alogliptin exhibits gastroprotective effects, likely via antioxidant mechanisms, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy for patients at risk of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers, especially in diabetic populations.
مشرف البحث
رئيس قسم علم الادوية والمداواة ومشرف البحث الثاني
المقاييس
هذا العمل مرخص بموجب Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
