Decreased gastric prostaglandin E2 synthesis in patients with gastric ulcers and in smokers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prostaglandin inhibits gastric acid secretion and exerts protective action on the mucosa of the stomach. We studied the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to determine the role of PGE2 in peptic ulcer disease.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Mucosal biopsies from 22 persons were obtained and incubated. PGE2 was then determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy subjects, patients with gastric ulcers or gastritis show diminished accumulation of PGE2 in the incubation medium. Other factors like age, gender, and alcohol consumption were also investigated, however, they do not influence endogenous prostaglandin production. In contrast, PGE2 synthesis was found to be decreased in smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicates a deficiency in endogenous PGE2 synthesis as one cause of gastric ulcerations and offer an explanation of the higher incidence of gastric ulcer disease in subjects with nicotine abuse.