The adrenal medulla protects against stress ulcers in the presence of gastric sympathectomy.

Surgical splanchnicectomy protects against stress ulcers in the presence of an intact adrenal medulla. The additional removal of adrenal medullary catecholamines results in an augmentation of gastric lesions. Inhibition of gastric acid secretion, improved gastric mucosal blood flow, enhanced gastric oxygen extraction, and increased energy supply to gastric tissue are discussed as possible protective mechanisms.