Effect of stress and aspirin on extrahepatic portal hypertension in rats.
Extrahepatic portal hypertension was induced in rats by portal venous constriction. Portal pressures on the fourth postconstriction day were significantly elevated in PVC rats when compared to control rats. Splenoportograms showed decreased hepatic flow and venous collaterals. Histologic sections showed gastric mucosal congestion in PVC rats. Gastric acid production and H+ ion equilibration were similar in PVC and control rats. Rats with portal hypertension had a significant increase (p less than 0.001) in mucosal erosions when subjected to a 7-hr restraint stress. Erosion formation was significantly augmented by aspirin administration. Although the exact relationship between the stress of a respiratory infection and variceal bleeding is unknown, these data demonstrate an increased susceptibility of PVC rats to nonhemorrhagic stress. This response is clearly augmented by aspirin treatment. Gastric congestion and the known effect of aspirin on gastric mucosal permeability and the gastric mucosal barrier are implicated in these observations. These findings correlated with clinical observations and strongly suggest avoidance of aspirin therapy in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension.
D000818:Animals; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D003250:Constriction; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007103:Immobilization; D011169:Portal Vein; D051381:Rats; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications*
D001241:Aspirin