EFFECTS OF OXYTOCIN ON EMOTIONAL-STRESS AND STRESS-INDUCED GASTRIC-LESIONS

The effect of oxytocin has been studied in gastric lesions induced by cold-plus-restraint stress or by subcutaneous (sc) administration of cysteamine. Intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of the peptide was followed by a reduction of the incidence of gastric lesions in both experimental models. This effect was comparable to that found after icv injection of prolactin, a peptide which is known to facilitate adaptation to stress and reduce the incidence of stress-induced gastric lesions. These results may be relevant in focusing on the general role of oxytocin as a protective factor against stress-induced biological modifications.