[Endogenous prostaglandin synthesis and gastritis: lack of correlation with endoscopic findings, Helicobacter colonization and leukocytic infiltration of the mucosa].

We determined the capacity and the profile of prostaglandin synthesis in the antral mucosa of patients with erosive (n = 43) or non-erosive (n = 24) Type B gastritis in comparison with normal controls (n = 24). Prostaglandin synthesis was measured by the incorporation of 14C-labelled arachidonic acid into cyclooxygenase products in mucosal homogenate. There was no significant difference between controls and patients with antral gastritis. Furthermore, there was no correlation of the prostaglandin synthesis with helicobacter colonisation or with the degree of inflammation. In another group of 15 patients there was a 17% increased synthesizing capacity nearby the erosions, compared to a non-erosive area (p = 0.05). In these patients with chronic Type B gastritis the treatment with an antacid (Maalox 70, 4 x 10 ml) for 4 weeks did not affect the synthesizing capacity or the profile of mucosal prostaglandin synthesis.