The effect of cigarette smoke on gastroduodenal mucosal endogenous prostacyclin level (experimental and clinical observations).

In our opinion the endogenous prostacyclin (PGI2) is one of the most important natural protective substances in the gastric mucosa. We have, therefore checked in experimental circumstances in rats, as well as in clinical observations in humans, the possible effect of smoking on endogenous gastroduodenal mucosal PGI2 level. The animal experiments seem to verify that cigarette smoke really has an unwanted effect on the gastric mucosa. The target of this action is the endogenous PGI2 content of the mucosa. According to our observations in humans there is a definite tendency toward decreased endogenous PGI2 production in the gastroduodenal mucosa of smokers too.