Influence of sialoadenectomy on capsaicin-sensitive "gastric defense mechanism" in rats

Chemical ablation of sensory afferents produced by the treatment with the neurotoxin capsaicin worsened gastric ulcers induced by 50% ethanol in sham- and sialoadenectomized (SALX)-operated rats. Conversely, capsaicin worsened water immersion stress (WIS)-ulcers in SALX, but not those in sham-operated animals. The concomitant removal of two potent antisecretory factors, such as salivary gland containing epidermal growth factor and neuropeptides contained in the sensory afferents, is probably responsible for the enhanced vulnerability of the mucosa in WIS-ulcers.