Reserpine caused gastrointestinal damages and hormonal changes in rats

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to investigate the changes of gastrointestinal (GI) hormones in reserpine-treated rat. Reserpine (0.5 mg/kg body weight) was injected once per day for continuous 14 days. The histological changes of GI were observed and GI hormones variation was measured. The results showed that comparing with the control group, the reserpine-treated rats had obvious damages. In the GI damaged duodenum mRNA and protein content of gastrin (GAS), cholecystokinin (CCK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were significantly decreased and somatostatin (SS) protein content were significantly increased comparing the control group. In the gastric antrum of reserpine-treated rats, mRNA and protein content of GAS increased significantly while those of CCK were significantly decreased comparing the control group. These results suggest that the GI hormones changes were associated with gastro and small intestine damage in reserpine-treated rats. © 2012 Springer-Verlag GmbH.