Sequential morphological changes of ulceration in the glandular stomach of rats induced by iodoacetamide.

Two groups of 25 male Wistar rats were given 0.1% iodoacetamide (IAM) with or without 0.4% Tween 60 in their drinking water for 12 weeks. Two or three rats from each group were sacrificed at intervals for sequential morphological observations on ulceration of gastric mucosa. The ulcers invariably developed in the fundic region adjacent to the limiting ridge, and they penetrated the muscle coats and extended to the serosal lining on continuous treatment with IAM for 9 weeks. The ulcers appeared chronic, but when IAM was discontinued the healing process began rapidly and the mucosa regenerated almost completely within six weeks. Regenerating epithelium on areas of ulcer differentiated progressively, and the renewed mucosa showed pyloric metaplasia.