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Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Mouse Models Of Helicobacter Infection And Gastric Pathologies
Published on: October 18, 2018
Effect of rebamipide on H. pylori-associated gastric mucosal injury in Mongolian gerbils
1Department of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Helicobacter pylori colonized to gastric mucosa plays an important pathogenic role in gastric mucosal lesions. We previously reported that ethanol pretreatment promotes the extension of H. pylori-associated lesions. The present study was designed to examine the effect of rebamipide, a mucosal protective agent, on H. pylori-associated injury. Male Mongolian gerbils were orally inoculated with H. pylori; 30 min prior to inoculation, 40% ethanol was administered orally to these gerbils (Hp group). Controls were given 40% ethanol with culture medium (control group). Some gerbils in the Hp and control groups were fed rebamipide-containing diets, and the remaining gerbils received laboratory chow diets. H. pylori infection was evaluated by quantitative bacterial culture and histological examination. Although H. pylori was persistently detected and a remarkable mucosal leukocyte infiltration was observed in the Hp groups, the bacteria had disappeared naturally in 67% of the gerbils and mucosal damage was mitigated in the Hp + rebamipide group at four weeks after the inoculation. Collectively, rebamipide might play a role in inhibiting the level of H. pylori colonization and gastric lesion formation in Mongolian gerbils.
Insights
Rebamipide treatment helped clear Helicobacter pylori infection and reduced stomach damage in gerbils. This mucosal protective agent shows promise for managing H. pylori-related gastric injury.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of gastric mucosal lesions.
- Ethanol pretreatment exacerbates H. pylori-associated gastric injury.
- Rebamipide is a known mucosal protective agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of rebamipide in mitigating H. pylori-induced gastric injury.
- To evaluate rebamipide's effect on H. pylori colonization in a gerbil model.
Main Methods:
- Male Mongolian gerbils were orally inoculated with H. pylori.
- Ethanol was administered to induce gastric injury prior to H. pylori inoculation.
- Gerbils received either a standard diet or a diet containing rebamipide.
- H. pylori infection and gastric damage were assessed via bacterial culture and histology.
Main Results:
- H. pylori persisted with significant leukocyte infiltration in ethanol-treated gerbils.
- In the rebamipide-treated group, H. pylori was naturally cleared in 67% of gerbils.
- Rebamipide administration significantly mitigated mucosal damage compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Rebamipide demonstrates potential in reducing H. pylori colonization levels.
- Rebamipide may inhibit the formation of gastric lesions associated with H. pylori infection.
