Melatonin and ulceration in rat stomach in acute emotional stress

Formation of peptic ulcers under conditions of acute emotional stress was studied in rats injected with different doses of melatonin (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg). The number of total length of peptic ulcers increases under conditions of stress. In unstressed rats melatonin induces ulceration of gastric mucosa. In a dose of 1 mg/kg melatonin exerts protective effect on gastric mucosa. No significant changes in the number and total length of peptic ulcers are noted with 0.5 and 2 mg/kg melatonin.