[A cytoprotective role of extracellular superoxide dismutase in experimental stress ulcer models]

In an experimental stress ulcer models, we examined a pathophysiological role of EC-SOD in an extracellular fluid in guinea pig. Heparin has a releasing potency of EC-SOD into extracellular fluid from endothelial cell. In this study, we divided animals into four groups; 1) control animals, 2) animals injected with heparin (1,000 IU/kg), 3) animals injected with heparin and DDC (1 g/kg), 4) animals injected with DDC treatment. In these four groups, we measured ulcer index (UI) and lipid peroxides (LPO) of the gastric mucosa, before and serially after stress. Water-immersion, ethanol and burn were used as experimental stress. Animals injected with heparin inhibited the increase of UI and LPO of gastric mucosa induced by stress. This cytoprotective effect was abolished by DDC treatment. These results suggest that EC-SOD may be a cytoprotective factor in an extracellular fluid.