The protective mechanisms of paracetamol against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats.

The protective mechanisms of paracetamol against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage have been examined. The antiulcer action of subcutaneously (s.c.)-injected paracetamol, 250 mg kg-1, was attenuated by either subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or s.c. injection of N-ethylmaleimide, 10 mg kg-1. This attenuation was not seen in rats given paracetamol by the oral route (p.o.). Indomethacin pretreatment, 5 mg kg-1, did not influence the lesion-preventing action of paracetamol given s.c. or p.o. The findings suggest that the antiulcer effect of s.c.-administered paracetamol results from an action involving the vagal nerve and tissue sulfhydryls, but not prostaglandins. On the other hand, the protective mechanism of paracetamol p.o. is independent of the vagal system or tissue sulfhydryls and prostaglandins. It seems that paracetamol given p.o. exerts its antiulcer effect by acting directly on the mucosal cell to strengthen mucosal integrity.