The role of mucus glycoproteins in prostaglandin cytoprotection.

The role of gastric mucus in the pathogenesis of septic erosions and as an explanation for prostaglandin cytoprotection is unclear. In a reproducible canine septic model bacterial peritonitis was induced in three groups of dogs. One group served as a control and each of the remaining groups received 16,16 dimethyl PGE2 either 0.2 microgram/kg. or 0.4 microgram/kg. I.M. q6h beginning 24 hours prior to peritonitis and continued during the septic period. Gastroscopy was performed and basal gastric juice collected prior to peritonitis and during the septic period. All animals in the control group developed acute gastric erosions and gastric juice protein significantly decreased while sialic acid and fucose significantly increased during the septic period. In the animals receiving 16,16 dimethyl PGE2 acute gastric erosions did not develop; sialic acid and fucose were significantly elevated compared to control dogs during sepsis. We conclude that prostaglandin cytoprotection may be related to increases in gastric glycoprotein secretion.