To investigate the effects of psychological stress on gastrin and estrogen in female mice and its role on inflammation.

Eight week old female SPF Kunming mice were randomly divided into stress group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The mice in the stress group were restricted for 2 hours each day in the self-made bonder, and lasted for 14 days. Then, the mice in two groups were freely allowed to drink and eat in the same environment. H&E staining was performed and histopathological changes of esophageal mucosa were observed under light microscope. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of oxidative stress (Nox-4) and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α)in esophageal mucosa and their content in blood were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA.

After 14 days of stress period, the levels of gastrin and estradiol in the blood of stress mice were significantly lower than control group(P＜0.05); basal cell proliferation, neutrophil, eosinophil and plasma cell infiltration and inflammatory changes were observed in the mucous layer of esophagus in stress group, and the score of esophageal mucositis in the stress group was significantly higher than control group (P＜0.05); the expression of Nox-4 mRNA and its blood levels in stress group was significantly increased (P＜0.05); RT-PCR and ELISA showed that the mRNA expression levels and blood levels of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α were significantly increased (P＜0.05).

The stress induces the decrease of gastrin and estradiol in female mice, and further lead to esophageal inflammation.