Enhanced Gastric and Duodenal Platelet-Activating Factor and Leukotriene Generation in Duodenal Ulcer Patients

Abstract

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), and leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) generation by gastroduodenal mucosa was assessed in duodenal ulcer patients and in normal subjects, to elucidate their possible role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. Endoscopic fundic, antral, and duodenal biopsy specimens were obtained from 35 duodenal ulcer patients on the day the diagnosis was established and from 42 normal controls. In duodenal ulcer patients PAF generation, determined by platelet aggregation, was two- to three-fold higher than its respective generation by normal subjects. LTB₄ and LTC₄ synthesis by cultured antral and duodenal mucosa obtained from duodenal ulcer patients was twofold higher than their synthesis by normal subjects. Fundic LTB₄ and LTC₄ generation was similar in ulcer patients and controls. In 11 patients PAF, LTB₄, and LTC₄ generation was also assessed after 4 weeks of treatment resulting in ulcer healing and found to be significantly reduced when compared with their synthesis when the ulcer was active. These results thus suggest that PAF, LTB₄, and LTC₄ may have a role in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer, and therefore their modulation may have therapeutic benefits.

Key Words:

• Duodenal ulcer
• leukotriene
• platelet-activating factor