Neuroinflammatory reactions in experimental gastric ulcer: Target for mucosal protection

The effect of different opioids receptor agonists—morphine, DAGO (μ-agonists), DADLE, DPDPE and deltorphin II (δ-agonists)—on gastric mucosal damage induced by either acidified ethanol or acidified aspirin was studied following subcutaneous (sc) administration of these agonists. The results indicate that both μ and δ receptors are involved in gastroprotection. Morphine, DAGO and DADLE, injected intracerebroventricularly, were also effective in both ulcer models. This suggests that gastric cytoprotection can be induced also be central action, since gastric acid secretion is not involved in the pathomechanism of mucosal damage induced by acidified ethanol. Interaction between the opioids and α₂-adrenoceptors in gastroprotection is suggested by the findings that the gastroprotective effect of clonidine (0.09 μmol/kg orally) was antagonized by opioid antagonists. As both naloxone (1.38 μmol/kg sc) and naltrindole (12 μmol/kg sc) exerted antagonist effects, both μ and δ receptors are likely to be involved in presynaptic α₂-receptor-mediated gastroprotection.