ARACHIDONIC-ACID PROTECTION OF RAT GASTRIC-MUCOSA AGAINST ETHANOL INJURY

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (2) , 296-308
Abstract
AA [arachidonic acid], an essential dietary fatty acid, is a precursor for synthesis of prostaglandins [PG]. The ability of PG to protect the gastric mucosa against ethanol injury prompted an investigation of the possibility of AA providing similar protection in the rat. AA or its solubilizer were instilled intragastrically 60 min prior to absolute ethanol. The gastric lining was examined at 3 and 15 h after the administration of ethanol. The extent of damage was assessed both macroscopically and histologically. AA administration 30 or 60 min prior to ethanol ingestion protected the gastric mucosa against macroscopic and histological damage for 3-15 h. The intragastric concentration of PGE2 was 5000-13,000 times higher in the animals pretreated with AA than in the controls. The protective action of AA was markedly diminished by indomethacin pretreatment. Intrajejunal administraton of AA did not protect the gastric mucosa. Apparently, a dietary constituent, arachidonic acid, can protect the gastric mucosa against alcohol injury by inducing the PG synthesis by the gastric mucosa.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: