Role of endothelin and platelet-activating factor in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

The current study was designed to investigate the role of two potent vasoactive substances, endothelin (ET) and platelet-activating factor (PAF), in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats. Treatment with anti-ET antibody before indomethacin administration resulted in a significant decline in the total length of the lesions as determined by gross evaluation. In contrast, CV-6209, a specific PAF antagonist, had no effect on the total length of the lesions. The results strongly suggest the incorporation of endogenous ET in the mechanism of gastric damage after indomethacin administration.