Gastric secretion, mucosal erosions and porto-systemic gastrin gradients as influenced by different degrees of stress in the rat

Gastric fistula rats (n = 79) were either left as unstressed (fistula closed) controls or gastric secretion, microcirculation (MBF), mucosal stress ulcers were studied in secretory rats subjected to zero (= freely movements allowed), mild, severe restraint stress for 8 h. In all rats gastrin in portal vein and aorta was measured in addition after discontinuation of either protocol. Acid secretion and MBF are progressively reduced by increasing stress. Pepsin and sodium are elevated with severe, acid concentration with mild stress. Pepsin and sodium are elevated with severe, acid concentration with mild stress. Serum gastrin (controls - aorta 53+/- SEM 5, portal vein 73 +/- 9 pg/ml) rises sharply in portal and systemic blood with institution of acid diversion via the outside (zero stress - 136 +/- 21, 398 +/- 98 pg/ml), but declines with increasing stress (severe stress - 82 +/- 16, 101 +/- 27 pg/ml) despite otherwise identical experimental conditions. It is concluded that (1) acid secretion rate and MBF are lowered by stress, but stress ulcers are associated with either increased acidity (mild stress) or peptic activity (severe stress) of gastric juice in the absence of elevated gastrin, (2) enhanced sodium fluxes via gastric lumen and lower acid suggest disruption if mucosal barrier by severe stress, and (3) restraint stress ulcers may be the expression of a combination of disturbances, mainly of metabolic and endocrine nature.