Partial characterization of the gastrointestinal weight changes produced in the female rat by 16,16-dimethylprostaglandin E2.

Oral and subcutaneous administration of 16,16-dimethylprostaglandin E2 (16,16-dimethyl PGE2) resulted in an increase in the dry weight of the stomach and small intestine of the female rat. This weight response was rapid, controlled rather than continuously progressing, dose dependent and reversible. The dry weight of the colon also increased but this was not studied in detail. Two-day treatment with 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 caused an increase in the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the duodenum, jejunum and colon suggesting an increase in cell number. Incorporation into the stomach and ileum was not changed. The number of goblet cells per crypt was increased by prostaglandin treatment in all parts of the small intestine. Since these are mucus producing cells, the small intestine may have increased in cell number and mucus production. Both anti-secretory and cytoprotective doses of 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 caused weight increases in the stomach and small intestine. However, the weight gain by itself was not sufficient to protect the stomach or small intestine from necrotic agents after the prostaglandin was discontinued.