Acid-base imbalance and ulceration in the cold restrained rat

Using the cold restrained rat model of stress ulceration, we have examined the influence of metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, and respiratory acidosis on the development of gastric erosions. The rats were restrained in tightly fitting perspex chambers at 6 degrees C for 3 hours. Acid-base imbalance was achieved by infusion of NH4Cl or NaHCO3 or by exposure to 5% CO2. The degree of ulceration was expressed by a lesion score of 0 to 4. The control group showed a score of 2.5 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SEM). With metabolic acidosis the score was 3.6 +/- 0.2, and with metabolic alkalosis the score was 0.9 +/- 0.4. Both values were significantly different from control values (P less than 0.005). Respiratory acidosis was associated with a score similar to that of the control group. The values obtained appeared to be independent of gastric luminal acidity. The findings indicate that the systemic HCO-3 concentration is a significant determinant of the degree of ulceration in the cold restrained rat.