The relationship of gastric hypermotility to mucosal hemodynamics, lipid peroxidation and vascular permeability changes was investigated in the pathogenesis of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats. Subcutaneous administration of indomethacin (25 mg/kg) produced an increase in both the amplitude and frequency of stomach contraction from 30 min after treatment, resulting in hemorrhagic damage 2 h later. Gastric mucosal blood flow measured by a Laser flowmetry showed oscillatory fluctuations under hypercontractile states: a decrease during contraction followed by an increase during relaxation. Mucosal lipid peroxidation and vascular permeability were significantly increased with time after indomethacin treatment, and these changes preceded the appearance of hemorrhagic damage. All these events were prevented when gastric hypermotility was inhibited by atropine or 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2. Pretreatment of the animals with allopurinol and hydroxyurea or continuous infusion of superoxide dismutase and dimethyl sulfoxide during a test period also attenuated these functional changes and mucosal lesions induced by indomethacin, without affecting the motility response. We conclude that oxygen free radicals may play a role in the development of mucosal lesions associated with gastric hypermotility in indomethacin-treated rats.