ACID-BASE IMBALANCE AND ULCERATION IN THE COLD RESTRAINED RAT

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 91  (3) , 318-321
Abstract
Using the cold restrained rat model of stress ulceration, the influence of metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis and respiratory acidosis on the development of gastric erosions was examined. The rats were restrained in tightly fitting perspex chambers at 6.degree.C for 3 h. 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 0-4. The control group showed a score of 2.5 .+-. 0.2 (mean .+-. SEM [standard error of the mean]). 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 < 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 systemic HCO3- concentration apparently is a significant determinant of the degree of ulceration in the cold restrained rat.