THE EFFECT OF CORTISOL AND STRESS FACTORS ON THE GASTRIC MUCOSA: MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS AND INTEGRATIVE DIAGNOSTIC OPPORTUNITI
Abstract
The neuroendocrine response to stressors—specifically, activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis—serves as a key pathogenetic mechanism in pathological transformations of the gastric mucosa. Cortisol inhibits the enzyme phospholipase A2, reducing the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by 35–45%; concurrently, catecholamines disrupt microcirculation and induce local ischemic processes.This article systematically elucidates the mechanisms by which cortisol and adrenal stress hormones affect the gastric mucosa, based on an analysis of contemporary scientific studies from 2021–2025, as well as fundamental classical sources. The significance of cortisol as a biomarker for early diagnosis is substantiated, and the clinical effectiveness of integrative therapeutic strategies aimed at stabilizing cortisol levels is demonstrated.