Genetic and histological aspects of stomach lesions induced by systemic injection of phenylbutazone in the rat

Summary Roman high-avoidance (RHA/Verh) rats, food-deprived (F-D) for 5 days, had higher stomach lesion scores than did F-D Roman low-avoidance (RLA/Verh) rats. F-D RLA/Verh rats which were injected i.p. with phenylbutazone (PBZ) 24 h before examination, however, had higher scores than did PBZ-treated, F-D RHA/-Verh rats. Histologically, extensive edema and cellular infiltration (including numerous erythrocytes) were seen below lesions, in the submucosa, denoting vascular damage. An attenuating influence of food on the ulcerogenic effects of PBZ, which were much more severe in F-D than in fed rats was also indicated.The authors thank K. Bättig and J. R. Martin for their assistance during the planning stages, B. Hauser, A. Waldvogel and P. Wild of the Veterinary Medical Faculty of Zurich University for preparing the histological sections and for the photography, and P. Elsinger for technical help.