Clonidine pretreatment inhibits stress-induced gastric ulcer in rats.
We studied the effects of clonidine (0.5 mg/kg) on hormonal stress response and antioxidant enzymes cold restraint-induced gastric lesions in rats. Rats in the study group were given 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal clonidine (n = 12), whereas the control group received 0.5 mL/kg intraperitoneal isotonic sodium chloride solution (n = 9). Animals were then subjected to immobilization at 4 degrees C in restraining devices for 4 h after a starvation period of 24 h. Gastric lesion index, gastric tissue malondialdehyde activity, and plasma cortisol concentrations were assayed. Histopathologic examination demonstrated a stress ulcer index of 3.17+/-0.92 mm in the clonidine group and 14.0+/-3.22 mm in the control group (P<0.05). The tissue malondialdehyde concentrations were slightly higher in the control group than in the clonidine group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Plasma cortisol levels were lower in the clonidine group (P<0.05). We concluded that clonidine attenuated the tissue damage and stress response in stress-induced gastric ulceration.


CONCLUSIONS
Stressful circumstances can cause stomach ulcers, which can bleed, exposing patients to potentially life-threatening complications. In the present animal study, we showed that clonidine, a routinely available medication, may be useful in preventing stress-induced stomach ulcers.
Yelken
B
B
Department of Anesthesiology, Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey. bbyelken@ogu.edu.tr
Dorman
T
T
Erkasap
S
S
Dundar
E
E
Tanriverdi
B
B
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003000:Clonidine; D006854:Hydrocortisone