We studied whether linoleic acid, a precursor for arachidonic acid and prostaglandins, could protect the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced injury. Fasted male rats received intragastric pretreatment with 1 ml of one of: a) solubilizer; b) solubilized linoleic acid (74 mg); or c) solubilized oleic acid (74 mg) (a nonessential fatty acid). One hour later, 2 ml 100% ethanol was given intragastrically. Three hours after ethanol administration, the gastric mucosa was assessed for gross necrosis and for histologic changes. Three hours after ethanol administration in solubilizer, pretreated-group gross mucosal necrosis involved 35 +/- 3% of total mucosal area, while deep histologic necrosis involved 52 +/- 4% of the mucosal strip length. Pretreatment with linoleic acid (but not oleic acid) significantly reduced gross histologic necrosis, to 2.3 +/- 0.5%, and deep histologic necrosis to 4 +/- 2% (both p less than 0.001 versus solubilizer group). The protective action of linoleic acid was significantly reduced (greater than 10-fold) by pretreatment with indomethacin (prostaglandins synthetase inhibitor), suggesting prostaglandins as mediators of protection. The present study showed that effective protection of the gastric mucosa against ethanol injury can be achieved by intragastric administration of linoleic acid, a dietary essential fatty acid.