Further studies on the role of the adrenals in the capsaicin-sensitive 'gastric defence mechanism'

Adrenalectomy enhances the degree of gastric ulcers induced in rats by indomethacin or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), but not that induced by 96% ethanol. Systemic capsaicin pretreatment, which selectively induces degeneration of primary sensory neurons, produces aggravation of gastric ulcers induced by ASA, indomethacin or 96% ethanol in sham-operated animals but not in adrenalectomized rats. These findings provide evidence for the involvement of adrenal glands in the capsaicin-sensitive "gastric defence mechanism" regardless of the ulcerogenic stimulus used.