Comparison of the effects of nabumetone with indomethacin on rat gastric mucosal 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production and on bile salt-induced changes in gastric mucosal function.

The effect of nabumetone on rat gastric mucosal cyclooxygenase activity ex-vivo and in-vitro has been compared with that of indomethacin. Nabumetone was less potent and less active in inhibiting the production of gastric mucosal 6-keto-PGF1 alpha compared with indomethacin either ex-vivo or in-vitro. Anti-inflammatory doses of nabumetone failed to enhance bile salt-induced gastric erosion or mucosal permeability to dextran whereas indomethacin significantly enhanced gastric erosion and increased dextran permeability. These results suggest that nabumetone fails to promote gastric damage or increase permeability because of minimal effects on gastric mucosal cyclooxygenase.