Effect of adrenalectomy on healing of indomethacin-induced gastric erosions in rats.

We studied the effects of adrenalectomy and replacement therapy on healing of gastric erosions in adult Sprague-Dawley rats developed 4 h after subcutaneous injection of indomethacin in a dose of 25 or 35 mg/kg. Adrenalectomy was performed 1 week before or 4 h after indomethacin administration. Healing was evaluated by changes in the area of erosions over 24 h after indomethacin administration at fixed time intervals. Plasma corticosterone was measured. Adrenalectomy (irrespective of the time of intervention) decelerated healing of gastric injuries. Injection of corticosterone in a physiological dose of 4 mg/kg at the initial stage of healing (4 h after indomethacin administration) improved healing of erosions.