Abstract
Summary
An assay for the ulcerogenic property of steroids is described. The test compound is administered subcutaneously once a day for 4 days during which the animals are fasted in individual cages. At autopsy, the incidence of animals showing ulcers is noted, severity is estimated, and number of ulcers per rat is counted. These 3 values are combined and expressed in terms of ulcer index ranging from 0 to 20. It was shown that response is directly related to dose and that Δ1-cortisol is 2 to 3 times as ulcerogenic as cortisol. Hypotheses to explain this effect of steroids are mentioned, namely, increased secretion of gastric juice, antiphlogistic property of steroids favoring necrosis of the mucosa, and decrease of mucus formation in steroid-treated animals.
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