MICROCIRCULATORY AND MAST CELL CHANGES IN RESTRAINT STRESS - ROLE OF GASTRIC ACID

The neutralization of gastric acid by the instillation of sodium bicarbonate did not prevent the previously reported vascular engorgement and degranulation of mast cells in the superficial mucosa of rats subjected to restraint stress. It is concluded that these mucosal changes are not due to a local acid irritation, but, as previously reported, vagal stimulation appears to be responsible for the microcirculatory change and adrenal corticosteroid secretion for the mast cell change. While failing to prevent the mucosal microcirculatory and mast cell alterations, neutralization of gastric acid did offer partial protection against stress ulceration. © 1969 Hoeber Medical Division • Harper & Row, Publishers, Incorporated.