Gastmpmtection induced by capsaicin in healthy human subjects

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG Vol. 11; no. 33; pp. 5180 - 5184
• Main Author: Gyula Mázsik János Szolcsányi István Rácz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: 消炎痛; 病理机制; 胃损伤; 辣椒素
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840

AIM： To evaluate the gastro-protective effect of capsaicin against the ethanol- and indomethacin （IND）-induced gastric mucosal damage in healthy human subjects. METHODS： The effects of small doses （1-8 μg/mL, 100 mL） of capsaicin on the gastric acid secretion basal acid output （BAO） and its electrolyte concentration, gastric transmucosal potential difference （GTPD）, ethanol- （5 mL 300 mL/L i.g.） and IND- （3×25 mg/d） induced gastric mucosal damage were tested in a randomized, prospective study of 84 healthy human subjects. The possible role of desensitization of capsaicin-sensitive afferents was tested by repeated exposures and during a prolonged treatment. RESULTS： Intragastric application of capsaicin decreased the BAO and enhanced “non-parietal” component, GTPD in a dose-dependent manner. The decrease of GTPD evoked by ethanol was inhibited by the capsaicin application, which was reproducible. Gastric microbleeding induced by IND was inhibited by co-administration with capsaicin, but was not influenced by two weeks pretreatment with a daily capsaicin dose of 3×400μg i.g. CONCLUSION： Capsaicin in low concentration range protects against gastric injuries induced by ethanol or IND, which is attributed to stimulation of the sensory nerve endings.