Ulcer-healing drugs and endogenous prostaglandins.

Endogenous prostaglandins are involved in the control of gastric acid secretion and in the protection of the gastroduodenal mucosa. Although a possible deficiency of local prostanoids in peptic ulcer disease is still controversial, stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by pharmacological agents can be helpful both in the prevention and in the treatment of mucosal injuries. The interference of anti-ulcer drugs with gastric prostanoids is reviewed. Drugs inhibiting gastric acid secretion seem to exert no effect on endogenous prostaglandins. In contrast, the mechanism of action of mucosal protecting agents, such as carbenoxolone and sucralfate, appears to be partially mediated by stimulation of gastric prostaglandin synthesis.