THE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO STRESS-INDUCED GASTRIC INJURY OF RATS EXPOSED TO CADMIUM

In this experimental study, the effect of cadmium on cold and restrain t stress-induced gastric lesions has been studied. Rats received 15 mu g/mL cadmium-containing water for 30 d, and at the end of this period , they were subjected to cold and restraint stress. Cadmium accumulati on in gastric mucosa was associated with increased mucosal lesions, as well as decreased mucin and PGE(2) levels in rats exposed to cadmium. Stress-induced mucosal injury was more pronounced, and the hemoglobin leakage into gastric lumen owing to breakdown in the barrier was 17.3 0 +/- 3.45 mu g/mL in control and 35.71 +/- 6.18 mu g/mL in treated ra ts. Our data suggest that high cadmium intake facilitates the occurenc e of stress-induced mucosal lesions by diminishing the mucin content a nd PGE(2) generation in gastric mucosa.