RESUMO
Thirty-six adult male and female rates were used in this investigation. The rats were given either aspirin, paracetamol or both to study the effect of these drugs on gastric mucosa. Single dose of acetyl-salicylic acid [aspirin] was found to induce gastric erosions. The erosions were more marked after prolonged administration. Single or prolonged administration of large analgesic doses of paracetamol were followed by minimal changes in the gastric mucosa. The continued use of paracetamol is recommended when there is a possibility of gastric injury. Simultaneous administration of paracetamol and aspirin was found to decrease the incidence of gastric lesions induced by aspirin alone. Pretreatment with paracetamol one hour before administration of a single oral dose of aspirin did not effect its erosive activity, whereas the post-treatment with paracetamol inhibite the erosive effect of acetylsalicylic acid. In addition, paracetamol was found to stimulate the process of healing of the erosions induced by prolonged administration of aspirin