[Contribution of glucocorticoid hormones to gastroprotection].

The fact that the disturbance of the normal stress reaction by the elimination of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis's functioning leads to negative effects on the body such as the development and aggravation of diseases proves that stress plays a leading role in maintaining the physical health of the body. Here we demonstrate this on the base of the results of our experimental studies related with gastric ulceration. The results show that the reduction in the stress-induced corticosterone release, or its actions, aggravates stress-caused gastric erosion. The data do not support the traditional paradigm about ulcerogenic role of glucocorticoids in stress and suggest that glucocorticoids released during acute activation of the HPA axis are naturally occurring gastroprotective factors.