HEALING OF CHRONIC GASTRIC-ULCER DEPENDS ON GASTRIC-MUCOSAL PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS

In the present study, the role of endogenous prostanoid synthesis in g astric mucosa in the healing of chronic gastric ulcers was investigate d. Nineteen patients were divided into two groups in accordance with h ealing state after one month of treatment with cimetidine only: ''heal ed group'' and ''unhealed group''. Biopsy specimens taken from the muc osa around the ulceration (damaged gastric mucosa) and at a distance f rom the ulceration (normal gastric mucosa) at endoscopy prior to treat ment were homogenized, and the mucosal prostanoid synthesis was determ ined using [C-14]arachidonic acid. The mean value of prostaglandin E(2 ) synthesis in the normal gastric mucosa of the healed group was 60 % higher than in that of the unhealed group, but the difference was not significant. However, prostaglandin E(2) synthesis in the damaged gast ric mucosa of the healed group was 117 % higher than in that of the un healed group. The same tendency was observed for prostaglandin D-2 and 6-keto prostaglandin F-1 alpha synthesis as for prostaglandin E(2). I n our study it was demonstrated that there is a good correlation of pr ostaglandin synthesis in the damaged mucosa with healing of chronic ga stric ulceration. Furthermore, our study indicated that prostaglandin synthesis, especially in damaged mucosa, might be important in the hea ling of gastric ulceration.