ROLE OF RIBOFLAVIN AND ITS SUPPLEMENT ON INDOMETHACIN-INDUCED ULCER IN ALBINO RATS

Adebayo-Gege GI, Igbokwe VU, *Seriki SA and Olufeagba M.

ABSTRACT

Background/Aim: Vitamins are vital nutrients required by organisms for proper growth and sustenance. They are organic compounds and vital amines required in small quantities which are not synthesizable in adequate quantities by the living organisms. Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, has been known to cause overproduction of prostaglandin E2 in the gastric mucosa, which in turn causes suppression of gastric acid production. This study investigates the role of riboflavin and its supplement on indomethacin-induced ulcer in albino rats. Method: Thirty six Swiss albino male rats (120-180g) were randomly divided in to six (6) groups; group I (control), group II (indomethacin treated, 40mg/kg), group III (0.3mg/kg of yeast), group IV (low dose of Vit.B2, 0.065mg/kg), group V (medium dose of Vit.B2, 0.13mg/kg), group VI (high dose of Vit.B2, 0.26mg/kg). The animals were pre-treated with yeast and Vit.B2 for 14 days and fasted for 24hours before ulcer induction. Ulcer was induced using indomethacin (40mg/kg) and sacrificed after 16hrs .Ulcer was scored and the stomach was fixed in 10% formalin for H&E processing for parietal cell count. Test of statistical significant difference between treatments were done using the student’s t-test for paired observation, p<0.05. Result: In the group III (pre-treated with yeast),the ulcer score was 11.40 ± 1.72 while group II (indomethacin -treated), 17.80± 1.39; the score was significant lower in the yeast pretreated animals compared to the group treated with indomethacin, p<0.05. In group IV (low dose of vit.B2 (0.065mg/kg), the ulcer score was 15.20± 1.72; compared to the group II, there was no significant differences. The group V and group VI ulcer score was 7.00±0.55 and 4.60±0.93, p<0.05 was significant reduced as compared with group II (indomethacin-induced ulcer). Mucous cell count for the yeast pretreated, group III, V and VI was 3928.2±447.06/mm2, 1384,8±102.85/mm2, 3113.2±174.54/mm2, 4164.2±171.24/mm2 as compared with the group II (indomethacin, induced ulcer) 1925±81.06/mm2, p<0.05 were significant respectively. The group IV mucous cell count was 1384±102.85/mm2 was significantly lower as compared with the indomethacin treated group II. The parietal cell count in the group III (yeast treated animals) as compared with the control shows no significant difference (27.48±1.22/mm2 vs 24.8± 1.29/mm2). The group IV, V and VI (24.86 ± 1.33/mm2, 28.86±1.33/mm2, 26.76±0.74/mm2), there was no significance as compared with the group II, and group I. Conclusion: Riboflavin and yeast are potent anti-ulcer drugs by its inhibitory actions on the ulcer formation, downstream of parietal counts and upregulation of mucous cell count (responsible for mucous secretion, a defense system).

Keywords: Vitamin B2, Parietal cells, Mucous cell, Ulcer score, Indomethacin.