Phytonutrients: experimental effects on gastric lesions in rats exposed to acute repetitive restraint stress

PurposeThis study seeks to investigate the effect of palm‐based phytonutrient complex (PPC) on stress‐induced gastric lesions and accompanying changes in the gastric acidity and gastrin level.Design/methodology/approachA total of 40 rats were divided between a control group that was given a vitamin E deficient diet and a treatment group that was given a vitamin deficient diet with oral supplementation of PPC at 60 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period half of the number of rats were subjected to restraint‐stress for two hours for four consecutive days. Following stress exposure, blood was taken for measurement of gastrin level, after which all the rats were disposed of. The gastric acid was collected for measurement of acid concentration, while the stomachs were opened along the greater curvature and examined for lesions.FindingsRats exposed to stress developed hemorrhagic gastric lesions. PPC supplemented rats had fewer gastric lesions compared with their respective control group. Stress without supplementation with PPC also caused a reduction in the gastric acid concentration and the serum gastrin levels. Compared with their corresponding controls, the pre‐ and post‐values of gastric acid and serum gastrin concentration in rats with PPC supplementation remained comparable.Originality/valueStress is an identified risk factor for the development of gastric lesions. The current study showed that PPC was able to reduce the development of gastric lesions induced by stress and blocks the stress‐induced changes in the gastric acid concentration and gastrin level. It is possible that part of the protective effect of PPC in stress is through maintenance of the normal gastrin level, which results in the maintenance of gastrin trophic action in the gastric mucosa.