Full Length Research Paper

Effects of salmon calcitonin and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) on gastric mucosal barrier in stress induced rats

Z. Kanay¹, D. Kurt ¹*, C. Guzel², O. Denli², M. A. Ketani ³ and  K. Nas ⁴

¹Dicle University Veterinary Faculty Physiology Department Diyarbakir, Turkey.

²Dicle University Medical Faculty Physiology Department Diyarbakir, Turkey.

³Dicle University Veterinary Faculty Histology and Embryology Department, Diyarbakir, Turkey.

⁴Dicle University Medical Faculty Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Diyarbakir, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: dogankurt@gmail.com, dogank@dicle.edu.tr. Tel: 90 412 2488020/8609. Fax: 90 412 2488021.

Accepted 27 February, 2009

The aim of this investigation was to examine and compare the effects of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and salmon calcitonin (sCT) on gastric lesions and mucosal barrier components such as mucus and phospholipids in rats exposed to cold + restraint stress (CRS). Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats (150 – 200 g) used for this study were provided by the Animal Health and Research Center of Dicle University Diyarbakir/Turkey (DUSAM). The rats were withheld from feeds for 24 h; then, they were divided into four groups - each of which consisted of seven rats such as: control, stress, and CGRP + CRS and sCT + CRS groups. CGRP and sCT were administered 10 µg/kg intravenously 30 min prior to stress induction. After scarification of the rats, stomachs were examined macroscopically for ulcerative lesions. The amounts of mucus and phospholipids, which are important components of the gastric mucosal barrier, were then measured according to Corne and Baur methods. It was found that cold + restraining stress caused gastric lesions to increase, and that the application of CGRP and sCT decreased the lesions (P = 0.002, P = 0.001 respectively). Moreover, at the same time, it was determined that the decrease in the amount of mucus and phospholipids, due to the stress, was prevented significantly by administration of CGRP and sCT; for mucus as P = 0.002 and P = 0.002 respectively, for phospholipids as P = 0.002 and P = 0.002, respectively. According to our findings, CGRP and sCT were found to be effective in preventing acute hemorrhagic gastric lesions caused by stress, and in maintaining gastric mucosal barrier parameters.

Key words: Calcitonin gene related peptide, gastric mucosal barrier, salmon calcitonin.