Role of surface-active phospholipids in gastric cytoprotection.

Intragastric administration of a liposomal surfactant suspension markedly reduced acid-induced gastric ulcerogenesis and bleeding in rats. The concentration of surface-active molecules intrinsically present in the gastric mucosa was increased two to six times by administration of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2. Thus, local accumulation of surface-active phospholipids may be an integral component of the cytoprotective mechanism activated by prostaglandin treatment.