Gastric mucosal lesions produced by intravenous infusion of aspirin in cats

Aspirin was given by continuous intravenous infusion to 35 intact cats for 7 days in doses ranging from 25 to 200 mg kg-1 day-1. Gastric mucosal lesions occurred in 50 to 70% of the animals in the various dosage groups, including deep ulcers in 20%. All of the ulcers were in antral mucosa near its border with oxyntic mucosa. The incidence of lesions, including ulcers, showed no apparent relation to the dose of aspirin. With all but the highest dose, plasma salicylate levels were within or below what is regarded as the therapeutic range for man. Asprin, 100 mg kg-1 day-1, was given for 7 days to 4 cats with pouches containing all of the antral mucosa plus some oxyntic mucosa. One or more deep ulcers occurred in the antral mucosa of the pouches in each of these 4 cats. The electrical potential difference across the mucosa did not decrease, and net fluxes of hydrogen ions out of the pouch and of sodium ions into the pouch did not increase during the 7 days of aspirin administration despite the occurrence of ulcers in the pouches. It is concluded that intravenous aspirin, in doses giving plasma levels within or below the therapeutic range for man, causes gastric mucosal lesions including deep ulcers within 7 days in cats. These lesions occur without the changes in electrical potential difference and hydrogen and sodium fluxes that are regarded as characteristic of the "broken barrier."