In vivo characterization of the molecular-genetic changes in gastric mucosa during the development of acute gastritis and stress ulceration

Background. Trauma patients are at risk for the development of stress ulceration. Stress ulceration should be associated with increased heat-shock gene (iHSP70) and an inhibition of the trefoil peptide, spasmolytic polypeptide (SP), and mucin (MUC5AC) gene expressions. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (10 weeks old) were restrained for 0-, 4-, 8-, 12-, and 24-hour periods of time. Gastric ulcers were graded using a one- to three-point scoring system. The level of mucosal gene expression was determined at each time point for three genes: iHSP70, SP, and MUC5AC. Results: Gastric ulceration developed in direct proportion to the duration of restraint. Gastric ulceration was preceded by increased iHSP70 and decreased SP and MUC5AC gene expressions. Conclusion. Restraint-induced gastric ulceration was preceded by an up-regulation of iHSP70 and a down-regulation of SP and MUC5AC gene expressions.