The long-term use of proton bomb inhibitors has been considered a risk condition for the development of atrophic gastritis and gastric tumors. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pantoprazole (PTZ) treatment and N-Nitroso-N-Methylurea (NMU) carcinogenesis, for 15 weeks, in the glandular stomach of rats by histological and computer-assisted analysis of parietal cells area (PA), chief cells area (CP) and non-oxintic mucosal area (ANO), as well as by histopathological study. Methods: A total of 40 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups on the basis of the treatment: G1 (control), G2 (NMU+PTZ), G3 (PTZ) and G4 (NMU). Pantoprazole was administered twice a week (14mg/kg body wt., i.p.) and NMU was given in the drinking water (100ppm) ad libitum. After histological examination AP, AZ and ANO were investigated by computer-assisted analysis of the stomach image using the program ImageJ1.19z. Results: Showed a reduction of AP and increase of ANO in G2, G3 and G4 (p<0,001). Cases of atrophy, acute and chronic inflammation were found in number that impeded statistical comparison among the studied groups. Conclusion: The continuous administration, for 15 weeks, of pantoprazole (14mg/kg body wt., i.p.) and NMU (100ppm in the drinking water, ad libitum), isolated or associated, determines a reduction of parietal cells area and increase of non-oxintic mucosal area in glandular stomach of male Wistar rats.
Pantoprazole; Methylnitrosourea; Stomach neoplasms; Gastritis; Atrophy
