STUDIES ON THE EXPERIMENTAL GASTROINTESTINAL ULCERS PRODUCED BY RESERPINE AND STRESS

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Abstract
A decrease in the amount of mucosal monoamines such as serotonin [5 hydroxytryptamine]and nor-epinephrine were correlated to ulcer formation in the gastrointestinal tract of cats. Monoamines were estimated by histochemical (fluorescence microscopy) and biochemical methods. Serotonin containing enterochromaffine cells were found frequently in the intestinal and pyloric glands and rarely in the gastric glands. The amount of serotonin was not influenced by small doses of reserpine or external stresses such as grid shocks. Neither produced ulcers. When the 2 were combined, serotonin containing cells disappeared and severe ulcers resulted. Vagotomy and splanchnectomy prevented ulcer formation, but did not prevent release of serotonin by reserpine and grid shocks. Ulcer formation may involve central and peripheral factors; reserpine and external stress reduce tissue monoamines which lowers the resistance of the mucosa to agression, and centrally the stress may give rise to an increase in the activities of the autonomic nerve which is necessary to produce ulcers.