Introduction: Gastric ulcer (GU) relapses in healing with symptoms of anaemia, mostly in those with prolonged use of antacids. The gastroprotective and facilitated healing of experimental gastric ulcer by Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) have been documented. However, its activities during GU relapse using the Delayed Gastric Ulcer (DGU) healing model are unknown which this study evaluates.
Methods: Seventy-five (75) male Wistar rats (120–150g; n=15) were grouped, 1-Delayed Ulcer untreated (DUn), II, III, IV, and V treated with 62mg/kg, 25mg/kg CoCl2, 1mg/kg vitamin C and 1mg/kg misoprostol respectively after inducing DGU. On treatment days 3, 7 and 14 ocular vein was puncture for blood collection and analysis; thereafter, animals were sacrificed while GU scoring, biochemical analysis and histological evaluation on excised stomach tissues were done. Results were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance.
Results: Haemoglobin content, PCV, RBC, and Platelet counts significantly increased by day 3 but WBC count reduced by days 7 and 14 in DUn compared with other groups. Neutrophil/lymphocytes, Monocytes/lymphocytes, and Platelet/lymphocyte significantly increased in DUn compared with CoCl2 groups. Platelet/lymphocyte significantly increased in CoCl2-treatment compared with DUn on days 14. The ulcer score, superoxide dismutase activities, nitric-oxide level, Parietal and mucosa cells significantly decreased but MDA level increased in DUn compared with CoCl2 on days 3, 7, and 14. Histological evaluation revealed healing with preserved epithelial cells and architecture from day7 in CoCl2 groups.
Conclusion: Cobalt chloride attenuated unhealed gastric ulcer and associated anemia via reduced blood inflammatory markers, nitric oxide levels, and mucous cell count.