Multiple mediators and mechanisms are involved in the adaptive cytoprotection provided by certain mild irritants.

We investigated the participation of prostaglandins (PG) and nitric oxide (NO) in adaptive cytoprotection using 0.6 N HCl-induced gastric lesions in the rat stomach. Indomethacin reversed the protective effect of 0.2 N HCl more strongly than that of 0.35 N HCl, both of which markedly inhibited HCl ulcer. NG-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) did not affect the protective effect afforded by either 0.2 N HCl or 0.35 N HCl. Combined pretreatment with indomethacin and L-NNA did not diminish the protective action induced by 0.35 N HCl, but almost completely abolished the indomethacin-resistant protection afforded by 0.1 N NaOH. Acid mild irritant increased the gastric fluid volume concentration-dependently, whereas alkaline mild irritant had little or no effect on the volume. These results suggest that: 1) The mediators involved in adaptive cytoprotection afforded by 0.1 N NaOH may be fully ascribed to PG and NO; 2) PG is a major mediator in the protection induced by 0.2 N HCl; 3) In the case of 0.35 N HCl, the mediators remain to be determined since increased gastric fluid volume could contribute to the protection through dilution. These findings thus may indicate that multiple mediators and mechanisms are implicated in adaptive cytoprotection.