Apple polyphenols may protect stomachs from aspirin damage

Tag : apple polyphenol
Increases in hormone-like substances associated with inflammationand damage were attenuated by whether apple polyphenol extract, report the researchers in the British Journal of Nutrition .

If the results can be repeated in humans, it suggests a potentialbeneficial role for apple polyphenols in the growing market for supplements and functional foodsassociated with improved gastrointestinal health.

Stomach or peptic ulcers are a small hole or erosion in the gastrointestinal tract.According to statistics from the US National Digestive DiseasesInformation Clearinghouse, peptic ulcers affect 14.5 millionAmericans.

Researchers from Universita Federico II, Naples and the SecondaUniversita di Napoli investigated if apple polyphenol extract (APE)could reduce the aspirin-induced injury to lining of the stomach(gastric mucosa) in rats. The animals were given a dose of applepolyphenols (0.0004 moles of catechins equivalents) prior to anoral dose of aspirin (200 mg/kg).

Lead research Giuseppe D'Argenio and co-workers report that theboth macroscopic and microscopic injuries to the stomachs of theanimals were decreased when the apple polyphenols were consumedprior to the oral aspirin dose. Indeed, lesions were reduced byapproximately 50 per cent, they said.

Levels of hormone-like substances associated with inflammation anddamage such as cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), transforming growthfactor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and heparin-bindingepidermal-growth-factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) mRNA wereanalysed by the researchers.

Selectively inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme blocks the formation ofhormone-like substances called prostaglandins that cause the painand inflammation responses.

D'Argenio and co-workers observed that aspirin led to increases inCOX-2 and HB-EGF, but not of TGF-alpha, and that these increaseswere reduced by the apple polyphenols.

Moreover, the polyphenol extract counter-acted the increases inmalondialdehyde (MDA) observed following aspirin consumption. MDAis a reactive carbonyl compound and a well-established marker ofoxidative stress

"In conclusion, APE reduces aspirin-induced gastric injuryindependently of acid inhibition," wrote the researchers.

"We speculate that APE might be of therapeutic use in theprophylaxis of aspirin-related gastropathy," they conclude.

Polyphenols are receiving extensive research due to their potentantioxidant activity, their ability to mop-up harmful freeradicals, and the associated health benefits. Many have also beenimplicated in possible protection against diseases such as cancerand cardiovascular disease, while some have been reported topotentially offer protection from Alzheimer's.

Source: British Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1017/S0007114508988747
"Apple polyphenol extracts prevent aspirin-induced damage to therat gastric mucosa"
Authors: G. D'Argenio, G. Mazzone, C. Tuccillo, I. Grandone, A.G.Gravina, G. Graziani, V. Fogliano, M. Romano