The protective effect of copper complexes against gastric mucosal ulcer in rats

The study examines the anti-ulcer activity of Cu(I)-(nicotinic acid)2Cl [CuCl(HNA)2]. A dose of 8 mg (23 mumol) of complex/kg body mass was suspended in 0.25% Tween-80 in saline solution and administered intragastrically to male Wistar albino rats which had developed gastric ulcers as a result of pyloric ligation (Shay-rat model). Another group of animals received 5 mg (25 mumol)/kg body mass of the copper-glycinate complex Cu(II)(glycinate)2 [Cu(II)(Gly)2]. Both protected as shown by reduction in the ulcer index, inhibition of gastric perforation and death. Significant increases in gastric juice volume and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the gastric mucosa and blood plasma were found with both copper complexes, while the gastric juice prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content was significantly decreased in the Cu(II)(Gly)2-treated group, it was significantly increased in the gastric mucosa of the CuCl(HNA)2-treated group. The copper complex-treated animals, especially those which received Cu(II)(Gly)2 had a marked fall in thromboxane A2 (TXA2) levels. These results suggest that intragastric administration of either CuCl(HNA)2 or Cu(II)(Gly)2 produced anti-ulcerogenic activity, with different modes of action.