Gastroprotective effects of N-acylarylhydrazone derivatives on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in mice are dependent on the NO/cGMP/KATP pathway

Abstract The gastroprotective effects of N-acylarylhydrazone derivatives on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in mice were investigated with respect to the NO/cGMP/KATP pathway. To investigate our hypothesis, the mice were intraperitoneally pretreated with glibenclamide, L-NAME, or ODQ 30 min before treatment with DMSO, LASSBio-294 (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, p.o.), LASSBio-897 (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg, p.o.), or omeprazole. After 1 h, the mice received absolute ethanol (4 ml/kg) by gavage to induce gastric mucosal lesions, and the microscopic and macroscopic parameters were evaluated. GSH (non-protein sulfhydryl groups) and MDA (malondialdehyde) concentrations, hemoglobin levels, nitric oxide production, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and TNF-α and IL-1β levels were also analyzed in the stomach after absolute ethanol administration. Pretreatment with LASSBio-294 or LASSBio-897 significantly reduced the microscopic and macroscopic lesion area. The compounds restored the GSH, MDA, and hemoglobin levels and reduced MPO activity. Moreover, the compounds significantly reduced nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the stomach samples after ethanol administration. Molecular docking studies revealed that LASSBio-294 and LASSBio-897 interact with active sites of the eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) enzymes through hydrogen bonds. LASSBio-294 and LASSBio-897 also reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels. It was observed that a NO synthase inhibitor, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker, and a guanylate cyclase inhibitor significantly reversed the gastroprotective effects of these compounds. Thus, the gastroprotective effect of LASSBio-294 and LASSBio-897 against gastric lesions is mediated through the NO/cGMP cascade, followed by blocking of the KATP channels.