ABSTRACT
The effect of vitamins C and E on gastric acid secretion and cytoprotection on rats fed with thermally oxidized palm oil (TPO) was studied. Forty five albino wistar rats weighing 180 – 210g were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 15). Group 1 served as control and received normal rat feed. Groups 2 and 3 were fed with TPO diet. TPO diet was formulated by mixing rat feed with TPO in the ratio of 85g:15g. Group 3 rats received vitamins C (10mg/100g body weight) & E (400IU/100g body weight) in addition. The drugs were administered orally. All animals had access to water ad libitum. The feeding lasted for 28 days, after which gastric acid output, gastric mucus output and ulcer scores were assessed, using standard methods. Results showed that animals in the TPO group had significant increase in gastric acid secretion (p<0.05), decrease in mucus output (p<0.05) and increase in ulcer scores (p<0.001), compared with control. However, there was a significant decrease in gastric acid secretion (p<0.001), increase in gastric mucus output (p<0.001), and decreased gastric ulcer score (p<0.001) following treatment with vitamins C and E, compared with control and TPO group. Vitamins C and E reduced gastric ulceration occasioned by thermally oxidized palm oil diet consumption by reducing gastric acid secretion and increasing gastric mucus output. This study has shown that Vitamins C and E may be useful in ameliorating gastric ulcers presented by chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil diets.