Introduction:
Indomethacin is an anti-inflammatory drug with clearly known side effects on gastric mucosa. New treatment and side effect prevention methods are being studied. Donkey milk, as a nutritional support, has recently come into the spotlight with its anti-oxidant features, high antibody content and low allergenic properties. In this study, we investigated donkey milk’s possible protective effect against acute gastric mucosal damage by indomethacin.

Material and methods:
Four groups, each composed of 8 rats, were created. Rats in the first and third groups were fed with standard rat chow, while those in the second and fourth groups were additionally fed with 25 mg/kg of donkey milk per day via nasogastric gavage. On the 11th day gastric mucosal damage was induced by oral administration of 30 mg/kg of indomethacin to the rats in groups 3 and 4. Six h later all rats were sacrificed and their stomachs were removed for macroscopic and microscopic evaluation as well as biochemical examination of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) expression in the gastric mucosa was evaluated immunohistochemically.

Results:
In the donkey milk-indomethacin group, total area of erosion and degree of linear ulceration were significantly lower than in the standard food-indomethacin group (p < 0.05). Also, GSH levels were increased and MDA levels were decreased significantly in this group. Tumor necrosis factor-α expression was more prevalent and stronger in the gastritis group, while lower expression was observed in the donkey milk group.

Conclusions:
Donkey milk was observed to have significant protective effects against gastric damage induced by indomethacin.