The effect of methylprednisolone on bile-treated gastric mucosal lysosomes

Various investigators have reported that steroids have ulcerogenic properties both in the experimental and clinical situation, while others have reported that steroids will protect against acute ulcer formation. Lysosomal enzyme studies were carried out to investigate the role of steroids on gastric mucosal lysosomal membrane stability. Antral mucosa from normal male mongrel dogs were centrifuged, and the lysosomes isolated. The lysosomes were then incubated in different concentrations of methylprednisolone. Methylprednisolone at the lower doses caused increased free lysosomal enzyme release and decreased lysosome latency. However, at the higher dose, methylprednisolone did not alter lysosome latency. These results may explain the common finding that methylprednisolone at higher doses, causes gastric mucosal damage, while at lower doses it protects gastric mucosa against irritants.