EFFECT OF L-GLUTAMINE ON ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID-INDUCED GASTRIC LESIONS IN PREGNANT AND NON-PREGNANT RATS

Abstract
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced gastric lesions in non-pregnant female rats were markedly inhibited by L-glutamine given orally in a dose of 750 mg/kg. ASA induced much more serious damage in the stomach of pregnant than in non-pregnant rats. The mechanism of the aggravation of ASA lesions in pregnant rats is unknown, but may be partly due to the high blood ASA level at a certain period as a result of its reduced metabolism. If the present findings in rats can be validly extrapolated to humans, it would appear that ASA may be prescribed for pregnant women when L-glutamine is ingested concomitantly.