Abstract

This study investigated the impact of stress by activity stress ulcer paradigm on the physical and behvioral changes and ulceration, and examined the effects of psychotropic drugs. In experiment I, 36 male albino rats were randomly allocated into two groups: (1) experimental group and (2) food-yoked control gorup. Rats in the experimental group were given continuous access to food, water and the running wheel during a 3-day habituation period, while the control group did not have the running wheel. The experiment was conducted until all experimental rats were dead. The food-yoked control rats were killed 24 hours after their experimental mate had died and their body weight loss and ulcer severity were measured. Results indicated that the ulceration and body weight loss of the control group was less than that of the experimental group. In experiment II, each of the 33 albino rats was randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: saline group, chlordiazepoxide(15mg/kg, i.m.), amitriptyline(10mg/kg, i.p.). Each of the rats was injected with respective drug or saline once a day during habituation and experiment. After 3-day habituation period, the experiment has been conduted for 6 days and the rats were killed on the last day. The CDP group showed a signficant reduction in activity wheel revolution, their body weight loss was less, their food consumption was more, and their ulceration was less than the control gorup. There were no significant differences between the amitriptyline and control group in terms of body weight loss, food consumption and ulceration except a reduction in activity wheel revolution.