Prostaglandins, gastroduodenal ulcer and hemorrhagic gastritis.

Today, we have effective and potent drugs such as H2-receptor antagonists for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Cimetidine and ranitidine are antisecretory drugs which heal 67-90% of duodenal ulcers in 4 weeks. Certain prostaglandins (PGs) which also heal gastroduodenal ulcers and hemorrhagic gastritis not only diminish gastric acid secretion but also confer unique protective properties on the gastroduodenal mucosa. This phenomenon of 'cytoprotection' is supported by the experimental finding that PGs prevent gastroduodenal mucosal injury caused by absolute ethanol, HCl, NaOH and other irritating agents. Other PGs which do not reduce gastric acid secretion also heal human gastroduodenal ulcers. These special properties of PGs make them potentially beneficial for the treatment of gastric ulcer, and gastroduodenal ulcers accompanying use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as hemorrhagic gastritis which is particularly refractory to other therapeutic modalities.