Abstract
AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of moderate exercise on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in male rats. BACKGROUND: Gastric ulcers include benign mucosal and submucosal lesions of the gastric wall. Exercise regulates a wide range of physiological processes. METHODS: 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n=16 per group) as follows: control, which was left untreated after causing stomach ulcers; experimental group 1, the rats were first exercised and then received acetic acid; experimental group 2, the rats received acetic acid, and then exercised. The ulcer was caused by injecting 0.12 ml of a 60% acetic acid solution after 24 hours of not eating. The rats had a period of moderate treadmill activity either before or after the development of ulcers, lasting for a duration of 30 days. On the seventh and fourteenth days after the experiment, the rats were sacrificed, their stomach was removed, and the wound healing parameters, and wound depth were determined. RESULTS: Exercise before and after inducing gastric ulcers significantly decreased the depth of gastric ulcers in the experimental groups. The average number of PMN in the control group decreased in comparison to the seventh and fourteenth days following the experiment. Conversely, the number of fibroblasts, epithelialization, and new vessels increased. It seems that exercise before the appearance of ulcers has a greater effect on gastric ulcers compared to exercise after inducing gastric ulcers. CONCLUSION: Exercise can prepare the gastric mucosa for forthcoming injuries, and heal gastric ulcers. Moderate aerobic exercise has significant restorative effects on gastric ulcers caused by acetic acid and is recommended.