Histological and Histometrical changes of rat deodenum following administration of ethanol and Oleuropein

Since the role of oleuropein as the most important phenolic compound of olive has been confirmed in protection of gastric mucosal layer and other tissues; the aim of present study was histometrically and histologically evaluation of rat duodenum after administration of ethanol and oleuropein. Six groups of male rats were treated as following: control (normal saline), oleuropein (5 mg/kg), ethanol (1ml), and ethanol with oleuropein by 3 doses of 5, 10 and 50 mg/kg. Oleuropein was orally administrated for 3 days and ethanol was orally administrated one hour after last oleuropein administration by gavag. The rats were euthanized by ether one hour after ethanol administration and duodenum was removed and evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic examinations. Ethanol destroyed mucosal layer of duodenum since thickness of epithelial tissue, number of columnar cells, number of goblet cells, length of villi and thickness of mucosal layer were significantly decreased in comparison with control group. Usage of oleuropein at 5 and 10 mg/kg was effective to reducing the effect of ethanol. However, 50 mg/kg of oleuropein did not protect duodenum but acted as oxidant agent and increased injuries. Thus, oleuropein with low doses can be considered protective for duodenum against ethanol.