ROLE OF ENDOTHELIN AND PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR IN INDOMETHACIN-INDUCED GASTRIC-MUCOSAL INJURY IN RATS

The current study was designed to investigate the role of two potent v asoactive substances, endothelin (ET) and platelet-activating factor ( PAF), in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in r ats. Treatment with anti-ET antibody before indomethacin administratio n resulted in a significant decline in the total length of the lesions as determined by gross evaluation. In contrast, CV-6209, a specific P AF antagonist, had no effect on the total length of the lesions. The r esults strongly suggest the incorporation of endogenous ET in the mech anism of gastric damage after indomethacin administration.