EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF A THERAPEUTIC COMPLEX OF DRUGS ON ULCERATIVE LESIONS IN THE STOMACH OF RATS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF STRESS MODELING

Abstract

Chronic stress is one of the leading factors in damage to the gastric mucosa, as it combines neuroendocrine shifts, microcirculation and secretion disorders, decreased barrier resistance, and ROS-mediated damage, which creates the conditions for the formation of ulcerativeerosive processes. In this context, it is important to find preventive measures that can reduce the severity of stress-induced gastric lesions in experimental models. Aim of the study. To evaluate the effect of a therapeutic and prophylactic complex of drugs on ulcerative lesions in the stomach of rats against the background of chronic sound stress modeling. Materials and methods. The study included 27 male Wistar rats (2 months old), divided into three groups (9 animals in each): an intact group (Group 1), a group exposed to acoustic stress (Group 2), and a group with acoustic stress plus additional administration of a therapeutic-prophylactic complex (Group 3). The experiment lasted for 49 days. Stress was modeled using an ultrasonic repeller (30–65 kHz), operated 6 hours daily, with the combined addition of sound in the audible range. Animals in Group 3 received the therapeuticprophylactic agents orally. After euthanasia under thiopental anesthesia, the stomach was removed and a visual assessment of ulcers and erosions was performed, determining their number, the area of damage per animal, and the Pauls index. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test (p<0.01). Results. In the “chronic stress” group, ulcers were found in 100% of animals; the total number of ulcers and erosions was 71±6.1, the area of ulcers per rat was 51.99±3.86 mm², and the Pauls index was 52.0±1.9. The use of the therapeutic and prophylactic complex reduced the proportion of animals with ulcers to 22.2%, reduced the number of ulcers and erosions to 35±2.8, the area of ulcers per rat to 5.83±0.64 mm², and the Pauls index to 1.29±0.08. Conclusions. Chronic noise stress induces ulcerative-erosive damage to the gastric mucosa in rats. A therapeutic and prophylactic complex of drugs exhibits pronounced antiulcer efficacy, significantly reducing the frequency and severity of lesions in terms of number, area of damage, and Pauls index, although it does not ensure their complete elimination.