Hormonal and pharmacologic influences on microcirculation in the rat stomach

Abstract

Hormonal and pharmacologic influences on the microcirculation of the stomach have been studied in rats. The blood content of the gastric mucosa was evaluated quantitatively by densitometric measurement of the India ink content of the mucosa following intra-aortic injection of India ink in the living animal. An aortic by-pass procedure was developed utilizing a polyethylene catheter through which India ink could be injected without opening the abdomen, thus avoiding reflex influences upon the gastric blood content. An increase in the gastric mucosal India ink content was observed following the administration of ACTH, serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan, Mecholyl and Dibenzyline. A decrease in the mucosal India ink content was noted after adrenalectomy and epinephrine. These studies suggest that hormonal and pharmacologic influences upon the gastric microcirculation are exerted by direct action on the capillary vessels, by neural influences or by the response to increased metabolic activity.