Effect of norepinephrine on gastric wound healing

Lavage of the stomach with norepinephrine has been suggested as a temporary means of controlling upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. The effect of norepinephrine on the healing of a standard gastric incision in the rat was studied using irrigation topically. When compared with those rats in the control study that were irrigated with a saline solution alone, no significant difference was found in the tensile strength, local inflammatory response or synthesis of new collagen, as determined by the hydroxyproline-proline ratio. There would appear to be no adverse effect on gastric wound healing as a result of preliminary irrigation of the gastric mucosa with norepinephrine given topically in a concentration of 16 milligrams per liter.