Effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade on intestinal injury induced by indomethacin in rats

Aim: The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the possible cytoprotective effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade, captopril (10 mg/kg), telmisartan (10 mg/kg), and a proton-pump inhibitor (lansoprazole) on intestinal injury induced by indomethacin in rats. Materials and Methods: This effect was evaluated through the assessment of intestinal inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress parameters. Forty adult male albino rats weighing 170–200 g were used and divided equally into five groups. After the treatment, the following were assessed: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity, pro-inflammatory (interleukin-1beta [IL-1 β]) content and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, and histopathological examination of the intestinal tissues was conducted. Results: Indomethacin group induced a significant increase in MDA content, also in inflammatory biomarker (MPO enzyme activity, IL-1 β content, and IL-10 content) compared to normal control, while indomethacin group induced a significant decrease in GSH content, SOD enzyme activity compared to normal control group. Captopril, telmisartan, lansoprazole administration before indomethacin-induced significant increase in GSH content, SOD enzyme activity, while induced significant decrease in MDA content as well as in inflammatory biomarker compared to indomethacin group, which indicate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and the gastroprotective properties of RAAS blockers, which also shown in the histopathological examination of intestinal tissues. Conclusion: This study showed the possible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as the gastroprotective properties of RAAS blockers. Telmisartan has more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect as well as cytoprotective action than captopril.