The effects of the nitrosothiol, S‐nitroso N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) which liberates nitric oxide (NO), on ethanol‐mediated gastric damage, blood flow and cyclic GMP levels in siaoloadenectomized (SALX) rats have been investigated. Intraluminal instillation of ethanol (5–50% w/v) dose‐dependently induced haemorrhagic damage and decreased NO synthase activity in the gastric mucosa. Both the extent of mucosal damage and inhibition of NO synthase activity were exacerbated in SALX rats. Epidermal growth factor administration (5 and 10 μg kg−1, s.c.) reduced mucosal damage but did not restore NO synthase activity in ethanol‐treated SALX rats. SNAP infusion (0.01‐1.0 μg kg−1 min−1, i.v.) attenuated haemorrhagic damage in ethanol‐treated rats. The reduction in mucosal damage was significantly greater in SALX rats. SNAP administration also caused an increase in gastric mucosal blood flow and cyclic GMP levels in control rats and both responses were augmented in SALX animals. These data suggest that SALX is associated with increases in mucosal susceptibility to ethanol‐mediated damage and reduces mucosal NO synthase activity. Epidermal growth factor does not appear to influence mucosal NO synthase in ethanol‐treated rats. Furthermore, SALX augments the responsiveness of the gastric mucosa to NO administration. Therefore, factors from the salivary glands influence gastric NO formation and mucosal responsiveness to a NO donor.

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