21.   Secondly, stimulation of capsaicin sensitive neurones in the stomach enhances the resistance of the gastric mucosa against experimentally imposed damage.

22.   The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine whether capsaicin induced ablation of afferent neurones would impede rapid repair of the ethanol damaged rat gastric mucosa.

23.   Histological injury of the gastric mucosa was assessed by light and scanning electron microscopy.

24.   Gross damage to the gastric glandular mucosa was assessed by computerised planimetry.

25.   These nociceptive neurones seem to help an emergency function in the gastric mucosa as they monitor actual or potential harmful factors and signal for adequate measures of defence.

26.   Prominent among the protective mechanisms that are controlled by nociceptive neurones is the microcirculation of the gastric mucosa.

27.   Both EGF and TGF were identified in the gastric mucosa and found to promote cell proliferation, mucosal repair, gastroprotection, and healing processes.

28.   This probably explains the failure of bFGF to protect the gastric mucosa against the damage caused by absolute ethanol and acidified aspirin.

29.   Studies have been done on humans, intact animals, isolated gastric mucosa, and gastric cell cultures to study the effect of ethanol on gastric cell function.

30.   In a recent study Chacin et al recorded the effect of different concentrations of ethanol and some alcoholic beverages on the isolated toad gastric mucosa.