Effect of Oral 16,16-Dimethyl Prostaglandin E₂ on Gastric Mucosal Salicylate Concentration in the Rat

Abstract

The effect of 16, 16-dimethyl prostaglandin E₂ (DmPGE₂), in doses subthreshold for antisecretory activity, were examined in female rats. The aims were to determine if DmPGE₂ alters the disposition of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) within the gastric mucosa and if DmPGE₂ could attenuate the ulcerogenic effect of oral ASA. Gastric lesions occurred after an oral, but not an intravenous dose of 150 mg/kg ASA. Lesions could be prevented by pretreatment with 5 μg/kg DmPGE₂ orally 30 min prior to ASA. DmPGE₂ elevated fundic concentrations of both ASA and salicylic acid (SA) within the first hour when ASA was given orally. The ratio of the concentration of ASA/SA in fundus was not changed, indicating that DmPGE₂did not depress the fundic esterase activity. It is concluded that the cytoprotective effect of DmPGE₂ is not related to a change in mucosal concentration or elimination of ASA or SA.