Experimental models of gastric ulceration and injury.

There are inumerable experimental models of gastric mucosal epithelial injury. Many of these currently in wide use can be regarded as unphysiological and severe, rarely encountered in humans. An analysis of more physiological and simple models indicates that little is known of the events that ultimately cause cellular death, even in simple and easily controllable systems. A review of acceptable measures of gastric mucosal injury is presented. It is suggested that studies of subtle physiological injuries at the cellular level are more likely to yield meaningful insights into the causation of gastric mucosal ulceration.