In this experimental study, the effect of cadmium on cold and restraint stress-induced gastric lesions has been studied. Rats received 15 micrograms/mL cadmium-containing water for 30 d, and at the end of this period, they were subjected to cold and restraint stress. Cadmium accumulation in gastric mucosa was associated with increased mucosal lesions, as well as decreased mucin and PGE2 levels in rats exposed to cadmium. Stress-induced mucosal injury was more pronounced, and the hemoglobin leakage into gastric lumen owing to breakdown in the barrier was 17.30 +/- 3.45 micrograms/mL in control and 35.71 +/- 6.18 micrograms/mL in treated rats. Our data suggest that high cadmium intake facilitates the occurrence of stress-induced mucosal lesions by diminishing the mucin content and PGE2 generation in gastric mucosa.