The increase in putrescine content in the gastric mucosa of rats with ulcerations induced by restraint-immersion stress.

By means of high-performance liquid-chromatography, the putrescine, spermidine and histamine contents in the gastric mucosa were examined during the course of ulceration in rats by the restraint-immersion stress. (1) The putrescine content increased progressively during the course of ulceration with the continuing stress whereas after being released from the stress the content decreased gradually to a significantly lower level than that immediately after 12 hours of the stress. (2) The spermidine content in the gastric mucosa was unchanged during the course of ulceration with continuing stress nor after being released from the stress. (3) The mucosal histamine content decreased significantly after 4 hours under the continuing stress. (3) Extensive histological examination revealed the appearance of regenerating epithelium 36 hours after being released from the stress whereas no such finding was seen before that period. From the above findings, it has been speculated that the increase in the gastric mucosal putrescine content during the course of ulceration induced by restraint-immersion stress is probably due to the stimulated adrenal function by the stress, independently of the regeneration of gastric mucosa.