Chronic Restraint Stress Induces Gastric Mucosal Inflammation with Enhanced Oxidative Stress in a Murine Model

BACKGROUND: Although the underlying mechanisms of chronic stress are still unknown, this condition has been related to the pathophysiology of gastric mucosal inflammation, whose development is accelerated by oxidative stress. The present study investigates how chronic stress influences gastric mucosal oxidative stress and inflammation. METHODS: Eight-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were subjected to two-week intermittent restraint stress. The expressions of CD11b (a specific for monocyte/macrophage), monocyte/macrophage cell surface markers (CD68 and F4/80), NADPH oxidase-4 (Nox-4) and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, a sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress) were determined using immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The expressions of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were determined using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Chronic stress increased the lymphocytic infiltration and inflammation within the gastric mucosa of mice. Stress remarkably increased the expression levels of CD11b and mRNA expression levels of CD68 and F4/80 in the mucosa of the stomach of stressed mice. Stress remarkably increased both mRNA and plasma concentrations of Nox-4 and 8-OHdG; and markedly reduced gastric mRNA and protein expression levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. The expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (MCP-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α) were predominantly observed in the gastric mucosal layers of the stressed mice. Furthermore, stress remarkably elevated the gastric mucosal mRNA expression levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α. CONCLUSION: Two weeks of restraint stress induced gastric inflammation in the murine model with enhanced oxidative stress and reduced anti-oxidative system.