Prostaglandins and Vagal Stimulation of Gastric Secretion in Duodenal Ulcer Patients

Abstract

The effects of a stable prostaglandin (PG) E₂ analog (15-R-15 methyl PGE₂) and aspirin, a potent inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, on modified sham-feeding (MSF)-stimulated gastric secretion and serum gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels were measured in patients with duodenal ulcer. PGE₂ analog given orally significantly reduced gastric acid and pepsin secretion and suppressed serum PP but not gastrin responses to MSF. Suppression of PG generation in the gastric mucosa did not influence the secretory or hormonal responses to MSF. This study shows that endogenous PGs are not involved in the control of vagally stimulated gastric secretion, but exogenous PGE₂ analog is an effective inhibitor of such secretion and merits clinical evaluation in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Key-words:

• Gastric secretion
• hydrochloric acid
• peptic ulcer
• prostaglandins