Effect of ovarian sex hormones on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastric lesions in female rats

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the following study is to investigate the effect of ovarian sex hormones on gastric ulcer in female rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female rats were treated daily with estrogen (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg), progesterone (2.0 and 5.0 mg/kg), combined estrogen (0.05 mg/kg) and progesterone (2.0 mg/kg), ranitidine (30 mg/kg) or vehicle for 7 days. Ulcers were induced with aspirin on 7(th) day. Four hours later, animals were sacrificed and stomach were removed for macroscopic and biochemical examination. RESULTS: Estrogen in 0.05 and 0.1 doses showed 32% and 18% of ulcer inhibition, respectively, progesterone 09% and 14% inhibition in 2.0 and 5.0 mg/kg doses, respectively, whereas combined estrogen and progesterone showed 23% and ranitidine showed 60% inhibition. However, the inhibition attained and the stomach malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in sex hormone treated groups were not statistically significant when compared to control group. CONCLUSION: At the tested doses, these ovarian sex hormones neither worsen nor protect against aspirin-induced gastric lesions in female rats.