Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

The ulcerogenic effect of corticosteroids has always been subject of controversial discussion. In this study, which is a part of another extensive study (the role of neutrophil in induction of gastric mucosal injury by different agents), the effect of prednisolone, as a widely used corticosteroid, on the rat gastric mucosa, was investigated. Prednisolone (1 mg/kg) induced acute mucosal injury (after 3 hours) in special regions of the rat stomach.

Moderate neutropenia, induced by methotrexate, significantly reduced the prednisolone induced injury.

Profound neutropenia induced by anti-neutrophil serum, completely prevented the induction of injury by prednisolone. A specific muccosal area of the rat stomach is quite similar to the mucosa of the esophagus. Neutropenia also diminished the ulcerogenic effect of prednisolone in this area. These findings suggest a role of neutrophil in induction of gastric, and probably eosophageal acute mucosal injury by prednisolone in rat.