Prostaglandin Cytoprotection Does Not Involve Interference with Aspirin Absorption

Summary

Acute gastric mucosal lesions were produced in pylorus-ligated rats by the intragastric instillation of an aspirin-acid solution. Prior administration of 16, 16-dimethyl prostaglandin E₂ s.c. decreased lesion formation but did not affect gastric mucosal salicylate concentration. The cytoprotective effect of prostaglandin does not involve inhibition of entry of aspirin into the gastric mucosal cells.

This work was supported by Grant 17328 from the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases to CURE (Center for Ulcer Research and Education) and Veterans Administration Research Funds. The authors are indebted to Dr. Dorothea Aures for advice concerning the salicylate analysis. The authors are grateful for the secretarial assistance of Donna Jump.