The effects of low thyroid hormone levels on the formation of stress gastritis: an experimental study on the rats.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low circulating thyroid hormone levels on the development of acute stress gastritis in rats. METHODS: Sixty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: Control group, surgically thyroidectomized group, stressed group, surgically thyroidectomized + stressed group, surgically thyroidectomized + T4 + stressed group, and surgically thyroidectomized + T3 + stressed group. Damage to the gastric mucosa was studied using millimetric acetate papers on photographs enlarged 3.5 times and the number and the size of the lesions was recorded. RESULTS: Acute stress gastritis was significantly increased in stress + surgically thyroidectomized rats as compared to rats that were only put under stress (group III) (stress gastritis scores; group IV: 44, group III: 16, p<0.001). The stress gastritis score in group VI was significantly decreased compared to rats in group IV (stress gastritis scores; group VI: 10, group IV: 44, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Low circulating thyroid hormone levels in rats increased the development of stress gastritis. This effect could be prevented by thyroid hormone replacement therapy.