We examined the pathophysiological roles of the urea-urease-ammonia system in gastric ulcer disease using rats. Exposure of the stomach to ammonia (0.01-1.0%) decreased the transmucosal potential difference (PD) and histological injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Exposure of the stomach for 20 min to urea (0.025-0.2%) together with urease (100 IU) produced a decrease in PD and microscopic injury similarly, and the lesion was closely associated with the amount of ammonia produced. Urea and urease alone had no effect on the gastric mucosa. These results suggested the pathophysiological importance of urea, urease and ammonia in gastric ulcer disease.