INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO INJURY AND NORMAL REACTIVITY TO PROSTAGLANDIN PROTECTION OF MUCOUS CELLS ISOLATED FROM GASTRIC-MUCOSA OF PORTALHYPERTENSIVE RATS

We examined the susceptibility of mucous cells isolated from gastric m ucosa of portal hypertensive rats to ethanol injury. In addition, we a ssessed their response to protective action of prostaglandin against e thanol injury in vitro. Ethanol significantly decreased cell viability in calcium-containing medium. The injury of mucous cells isolated fro m portal hypertensive rats was more extensive than those isolated from sham-operated rats. Ethanol-induced cell injury was reduced similarly in both groups by pretreatment with 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2. These results suggest that mucous cells isolated from portal hypertens ive gastric mucosa are more susceptible to ethanol injury and this sus ceptibility is dependent on extracellular calcium. The cells from port al hypertensive gastric mucosa retain, however, sensitivity to protect ive action of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin Ez.