Role of medial hypothalamus on peptic ulcer and depression

Bilateral lesions of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) inhibited water-restraint stress-induced hypocalcemia and gastric damage. In contrast, lesions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) exacerbated both the stress-induced hypocalcemia and gastric lesions. The VMH-lesioned rats showed a greater performance of stress-escaping behavior, while the PVN-lesioned animals were more depressive than the controls. The VMH has an accelerative action in stress-induced hypocalcemia, gastric lesions, and depressive responses, while the PVN has an opposite effect.