Beta-Adrenergic Mechanisms and Ulcer Formation in Pylorus-Ligated Rats

Abstract

Christensen, K. C., Stadil, F. & Hermansen, K. Beta-adrenergic mechanisms and ulcer formation in pylorus-ligated rats. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1975, 10, 715-720.

The importance of beta-adrenergic receptor activity for ulcer formation was studied. In rats fasted for 48 hours, ulcers in the rumen were produced con-stantly after 17 hours of pyloric ligation. d,l,Propranolol in doses of 1 to 30 mg/kg given 4 times during 12 hours caused a dose-dependent inhibition of ulcer formation. The ulcero-protective potency of d,I,propranolol was about 20 times that of d,propranolol. No explanation of the ulcero-protective effect was observed when the gastric acid secretion was studied after 17 hours. Serum gastrin concentration after 17 hours of ligation was in all animals less than 5 pmol per liter, i.e. below one-third of the normal fasting value. For all pharmacological effects apart from beta-adrenergic blockage, d,l, and d,propranolol do not differ, while the results presented here suggest that intact beta-adrenergic receptor activity is important for the development of gastric ulcers in the pylorus-ligated rat. The mechanism behind the ulcero-protective effect of beta-adrenergic blockage remains to be solved.

Key-words::

• Adrenergic beta receptor blockage
• gastric juice
• gastric ulcer
• gastrin
• d,l,propranolol
• d,propranolol