40 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, ethanol-induced injury group and taurine protective group for the measurement of the contents of endothelin (ET), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), somatostatin (SS) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The results are as follows. The gastric mucosa was damaged by 75% ethanol, being aggravated with prolonged application time, as shown by a significant increase of the ET content and decreases of the contents of NOS, VIP and SS in the gastric mucosa. In the taurine group, decrease of ET content and increase of the contents of NOS, SS and VIP in the gastric mucosa were observed. Apparently, the changes in ET, NOS, SS and VIP contents of gastric mucosa serve as reliable indices in the pathogenesis by ethanol and protective effect by taurine.