We studied the effects of clonidine (0.5 mg/kg) on hormonal stress response
and antioxidant enzymes cold restraint-induced gastric lesions in rats. Ra
ts in the study group were given 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal clonidine (n = 1
2), whereas the control group received 0.5 mL/kg intraperitoneal isotonic s
odium chloride solution (n = 9). Animals were then subjected to immobilizat
ion at 4 degrees C in restraining devices for 4 h after a starvation period
of 24 h. Gastric lesion index, gastric tissue malondialdehyde activity, an
d plasma cortisol concentrations were assayed. Histopathologic examination
demonstrated a stress ulcer index of 3.17 +/- 0.92 mm in the clonidine grou
p and 14.0 +/- 3.22 mm in the control group (P < 0.05). The tissue malondia
ldehyde concentrations were slightly higher in the control group than in th
e clonidine group, but the differences were not statistically significant (
P > 0.05). Plasma cortisol levels were lower in the clonidine group (P < 0.
05). We concluded that clonidine attenuated the tissue damage and stress re
sponse in stress-induced gastric ulceration. Implications: Stressful circum
stances can cause stomach ulcers, which can bleed, exposing patients to pot
entially life-threatening complications. In the present animal study we sho
wed that clonidine, a routinely available medication, may be useful in prev
enting stress-induced stomach ulcers.