PROSTAGLANDIN E₂ IN THE GASTRIC MUCOSA

(3rd report)Effect of mild acid

Abstract

Effect of mild acid on the prostaglandin E₂ levels in rat gastric mucosa was investigated. Rats were given 0.25 N HCl intragastrically 15min prior to sacrifice. Intramucosal prostaglandin E₂ was extracted, purified and determined according to the previous report.
The levels of prostaglandin E2 in gastric mucosa were increased both in fundus and antrum in 0.25 N HCl-treated rats (2.16±0.66μg/g and 4.19±0.84μg/g, respectively) compared with controls (1.18±0.16μg/g and 2.20±0.28μg/g, respectively). Furthermore, the development of 0.6N HCl-induced gastric mucosal lesions was inhibited in 0.25N HCltreated rats (ulcer index was 22.0±4.2) compared with controls (ulcer index was 65.4± 14.4).
In these results, it is suggested that mild irritation of HCl stimulates gastric mucosal barrier through the increase of the prostaglandin E₂ levels in gastric mucosa, this may be resulted in inhibition of the development of 0.6N HCl-induced gastric mucosal lesions.