Abstract
Glucocorticoid hormones may have dual action on the stomach: physiological gastroprotective and pathological proulcerogenic one. In physiological conditions, even in acute stress situations, glucocorticoids have an adaptive effect on the stomach and, therefore, are gastroprotective. The findings that we review in this article suggest that glucocorticoids released during acute stress are naturally occurring protective factors that play an important role in maintenance of the gastric mucosal integrity.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Acute Disease
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Animals
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Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
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Gastric Mucosa / metabolism*
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Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
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Glucocorticoids / metabolism
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Glucocorticoids / pharmacology*
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Humans
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / metabolism*
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Pituitary-Adrenal System / metabolism*
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Protective Agents / metabolism*
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Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced
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Stomach Ulcer / metabolism*
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Stress, Physiological*
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Stress, Psychological / metabolism*
Substances
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Glucocorticoids
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Protective Agents