[MECHANISMS OF PROULCEROGENIC EFFECT OF CORTISOL AT PHARMACOLOGICAL DOSE ON THE GASTRIC MUCOSA]

In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of proulcerogenic effect of Cortisol at pharmacological dose on the gastric mucosa in rats. Cortisol (300 mg/kg, ip, single) was administered 1, 3, 5, 7 and 30 days before ulcerogenic stimulus (indomethacin, 35 mg/kg, sc). The gastric mucosa integrity, blood corticosterone, glucose levels, the body weight and the thymus and spleen weight were tested 4 h after indomethacin or at appropriate day after cortisol treatment (in rats without indomethacin). Cortisol treatment resulted in an increase in blood glucose levels with a maximum at day 3, decrease in the body weight and weight of the thymus and the spleen. A deficiency of glucocorticoids in the blood and an increase in indomethacin-induced gastric injury were observed 7 days after the cortisol pretreatment. At the same time all parameters did not differ from controls 30 days after cortisol pretreatment. The results suggest that cortisol at a pharmacological dose may cause proulcerogenic action on the gastric mucosa through a long-lasting maintenance of blood glucose levels accompanied by the signs of catabolic effect and through a deficiency of glucocorticoid production.