ROLE OF SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM IN PEPTIC-ULCER PRODUCTION IN RATS

Abstract

The role of the sympathetic nervous system in gastric acid secretion and in experimental duodenal ulceration (cysteamine induced) was studied in rats. The animals were divided randomly into 7 groups: control, sham-operated, surgical sympathectomy, chemical sympathectomy (6-HODA [6-hydroxydopamine]), vagotomy, surgical sympathectomy plus vagotomy and chemical sympathectomy plus vagotomy. Results on gastric acid secretion were expressed as gastric acid output (GAO = .mu.eq of acid secretion in 1 h). The means in the control and sham groups were 447.83 .+-. 26.67 GAO and 399 .+-. 36.4 GAO, respectively. The means in the sympathectomized rats (surgically = 562 .+-. 27.21 GAO and chemically = 648.66 .+-. 46.53 GAO) were higher (P < 0.01) than those of the control and sham groups. In the vagotomized group the mean was 156.6 .+-. 17.64 GAO, lower than those of the control and sham groups (P < 0.001). The incidence of ulceration was 47.5% and 46% in the control and shamp groups, respectively. Both the sympathectomized groups (surgically, 73%; chemically, 77%), had a significantly elevated incidence of ulceration as compared with the controls (P < 0.01). The vagotomized group had a 14% incidence of ulceration. Sympathectomy has a definite effect on gastric acid secretion and on the incidence of experimental peptic ulceration in rats.