Main I H
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, London, UK.
Postgrad Med J. 1988;64 Suppl 1:3-6.
Endogenous prostaglandins may play an important role in maintaining gastroduodenal mucosal integrity. A reduction in the formation of protective prostaglandins, or an increase in damaging eicosanoids such as thromboxane A2 or leukotriene C4, caused by drugs or disease, may alter the balance between damaging and protective factors in the mucosa. Prostaglandins of the E series and their more potent and selective analogues inhibit gastric acid secretion by an action on histamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase. Acid inhibition accounts for their potent antiulcer effects in many experimental situations and for their ability to heal peptic ulcer in man. Further studies are required to determine to what extent their remarkable additional protective properties, unrelated to acid inhibition, can be utilised in the prevention or treatment of mucosal disease in man.
