Simple alkaline treatment induces intestinal metaplasia in the stomach of rats.

By infusing caustic soda (NaOH) into the stomach of rats, the gastric mucosa fell off and regeneration could be induced. In 18 of 26 rats, intestinal metaplasia associated with goblet cells was observed in the regenerative epithelium. Recently, induction of intestinal metaplasia by weak carcinogenic agents are reported with some emphasis on its precancerous meaning. However, our results suggest that, as intestinal metaplasia can be induced by a benign process of regeneration, it is not directly related with carcinogenesis.