Effect of Thyroid Hormone on Gastric Mucus Secretion Around Indomethacin Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

The effect of thyroxine on adherent gastric mucus content around indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration was studied in rats. Three groups of animals were used. The first group, which served as control was fed with normal rat`s cubes and water given ad-libitum. The second group was treated with thyroxine (6.8 μg/100 g body weight/day) for 35 days while the third group had misoprostol at a dose of 0.875 g/100 g body weight for 35 days. Thyroxine and misoprostol significantly reduced the degree of ulceration and increased adherent gastric mucus content when compared to control group (p< 0.05). This result indicates that the gastro-protective property of thyroxine was associated with higher values of adherent gastric mucus content, which explains the ability of the hormone to cause rapid production of gastric mucus. These results suggest that gastric mucus involvement in gastro protection could be linked to mucus glycoprcteins.