title: The hypothalamus and gastric mucosal injuries: origin of stress-induced injury?
abstract: This paper reviews the role of the central nervous system in the genesis of gastrointestinal mucosal injuries. The discussion makes particular reference to the significance and mechanism of stress-induced injury of the gastroduodenal mucosa. It points out that in the rat, stress activates the hypothalamus, producing delivery of alpha-adrenergic stimulation to the stomach by the adrenergic hypothalamovagal pathway. This stimulation controls intragastric blood flow and 5-HT release. Low magnitude pharmacologically-induced stress enhances gastric acid secretion and, if this stress is maintained, it produces chronic duodenal ulceration. High magnitude pharmacologically-induced stress depresses acid secretion and injures the gastric mucosa. If such stress is maintained, it produces chronic gastric ulceration. The paper provides a detailed account of the mechanisms of these stress-induced gastroduodenal effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Perth, U.K.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Salim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology