Prostaglandins in peptic ulcer disease. An overview of current status and future directions.

Naturally occurring prostaglandins almost certainly play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Clinical evidence available to date indicates that synthetic analogues of prostaglandins heal gastroduodenal ulcer only in doses that suppress gastric acid. However, non-antisecretory doses of prostaglandins may eventually have a role in the treatment of ulcer disease by maintaining ulcer healing and preventing recurrence. This possibility along with the potential of prostaglandins to prevent gastroduodenal mucosal injury caused by NSAIDs, alcohol, aspirin and stress, if supported by the results of ongoing clinical trials, may prove to be a major therapeutic advance for the treatment of acid peptic disease.