TABLE 1

Effect of dexamethasone on mucus thickness at the ulcer margin on day 4 and day 7 after ulcer induction

Field 1 means at the ulcer margin; fields 2 and 3 are the areas away from the ulcer margin to the adjacent normal mucosa. Values are means ± S.E.M. of 8 to 12 rats per group.

Mucus Thickness (%)
Field 1
Field 2
Field 3
Normal 10.5 ± 3.6
Day 4
Control 39.7 ± 2.8††† 30.4 ± 1.3 24.7 ± 1.6
Dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg 29.0 ± 1.8** 22.3 ± 1.5** 15.5 ± 1.8**
Dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg 24.9 ± 0.8*** 18.0 ± 1.3*** 13.3 ± 1.0***
Day 7
Control 34.9 ± 2.3††† 27.1 ± 2.5 13.7 ± 1.0
Dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg 30.4 ± 3.2 20.7 ± 2.5 13.3 ± 1.5
Dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg
23.2 ± 2.5*
15.9 ± 2.8*
11.0 ± 2.4

  • ↵* p < 0.05

  • ↵** p < 0.01

  • ↵*** p < 0.001 when compared with the respective control group

  • ↵††† p < 0.001 when compared with the normal group.