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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the ulceroprotective effects of Verapamil on aspirin-induced gastropathy in rabbits.
Study Design: Laboratory based, quasi-experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in collaboration with Clinico-Pathologic Laboratory, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from Apr to Jun 2016.
Methodology: Eighteen rabbits were split into three groups, each consisting of six rabbits. Weight of rabbits was measured and dose was calculated accordingly. The first group was given single ulcer producing dose of aspirin 150mg/ kg body weight orally, after an overnight fast. The protective group was administered oral Verapamil 08mg/kg of body weight. Rabbits were sacrificed 01 hour after ulcerogenic dose of aspirin. Stomachs were recovered for ulcer index, pH and were referred for histopathology. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Microsoft Office Excel 2013 and SPSS version 22. One-way ANOVA, followed by ‘Post Hoc Tukey’ test was used for biochemical parameters.
Results: Significant gastropathy was seen in toxic groups, with substantial elevation in ulcer index (p=0.001) and distinctly low pH (p=0.001). Ulcer protection was moderate with verapamil groups (percentage protection calculated for Verapamil was 15.18%).
Conclusion: The ulcerogenic activity of Ca2+ influx (connected to peptic acid and gastrin secretion) was found to be ameliorated by antagonistic action of verapamil.