Effect of acute administration of fish oil (omega-3 marine triglyceride) on gastric ulceration and secretion induced by various ulcerogenic and necrotizing agents in rats.

The fish oil commercially known as Marine-25 (omega-3 marine triglyceride) is an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich oil. It was investigated for its ability to inhibit gastric secretion and to protect the gastric mucosa against the injuries caused by pyloric ligation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs--aspirin and indomethacin), reserpine, hypothermic restraint stress and necrotizing agents [0.6 M HCl 0.2 M NaOH or 80% (v/v) aqueous ethanol]. The results showed that the fish oil, at a dose of 5 or 10 ml/kg body weight, provided significant protection in the various experimental models used. It produced a significant inhibition of gastric mucosal damage induced by pyloric ligation, NSAIDs, reserpine or hypothermic restraint ulcers. Fish oil also exerted a significant inhibitory action on gastric mucosal lesions produced by various necrotizing agents. Our findings show that fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid possesses both antisecretory and antiulcerogenic effects.