This study was designed to clarify the role of leukotrienes (LTs) in gastric injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Gastric lesions were produced by clamping of the celiac artery and by reoxygenation following clamping. Administration of AA-861, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, significantly inhibited the increase in the total area of the gastric erosions and the increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the gastric mucosa. Administration of YM-638, a peptide LT antagonist, showed protective effects similar to AA-861. These results suggest that the protective effects of AA-861 and YM-638 against ischemia-reperfusion-induced gastric injury were due to their antioxidative action.