[Gastric stress ulcers: the protective role of hormones of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system].

The role of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis in stress-induced ulceration is reviewed. The special attention is devoted to corticosteroids. It is discussed our hypothesis according to which a gastric ulcer formation after administration of high corticosteroid doses is due to the insufficiency of corticosteroid production as a result of suppression of HPA axis. The evidence strongly supports our hypothesis about antiulcerogenic property of corticosteroids. Gastric microcirculation, as main subject of antiulcerogenic action of glucocorticosteroids, is reviewed. Conclusion derived from the data that corticosteroids play defensive role during stress-induced ulceration and their action is provided by maintenance of gastric microcirculation.