RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which is known to produce serious side effects, causing ulcerative lesions. Nesfatin-1, a newly identified anorexigenic peptide, was recently shown to have neuroprotective effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of nesfatin-1 on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a 24-h starvation period, ulcer was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by subcutaneous administration of indomethacin (25 mg/kg), whereas control group received vehicle. Fifteen minutes after ulcer induction, rats were treated with either saline or nesfatin-1 (0.1, 0.3, or 1 µg/kg, intraperitoneally). At the fourth hour, all rats were decapitated and their trunk blood was collected for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 measurements. Stomach samples were examined microscopically and analyzed for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), luminol-, and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) levels. RESULTS: Ulcer induction increased serum TNF-α; and IL-6 levels, gastric CL and MDA levels and MPO activity but decreased gastric GSH content (P < 0.05-0.001). On the other hand, 0.1 µg/kg dose of nesfatin-1 reduced microscopic and macroscopic damage scores, decreased MPO activity and MDA levels, CL and IL-6 levels, whereas gastric GSH was replenished (P < 0.01). However, indomethacin-induced increase in TNF-α level was abolished at only 1 µg/kg dose of nesfatin-1 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Nesfatin-1 alleviated indomethacin-induced gastric injury, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of nesfatin-1 on oxidative gastric damage could be implemented by supporting the balance in oxidant and antioxidant systems while inhibiting the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators.