[Dual effects of glucocorticoids on the gastric mucosa]

In this review we systematise and analyze data of literature about the effect of glucocorticoids on the gastric mucosa. There are convincing results that show the adaptive gastoprotective nature of endogenous glucocorticoids, which are produced during acute stress-induced activation of the HPA axis. The role glucocorticoid hormones play in the effect of chronic stress remains little-studied. We have seen that after single administration of glucocorticoids, there can arise gastroprotective and ulcerogenic effects. Although. the question about the effect of therapy using glucocorticoid hormones on gastric ulceration is being debated, the data confirm the ulcerogenic influence that large doses of these hormones have on experimental animals. The initial gastroprotective effect that glucocorticoid hormones have, even after their single administration can be transformed into an ulcerogenic effect with a prolongation of the hormonal action, but not of the hormone dose. We are discussing the possible mechanism behind the transformation.