[Protective effect of misoprostol on the changes of transgastric potential difference induced by aspirin in man]

The measurement of transgastric electric potential difference (DDP) is an easy and reproducible method for evaluation of the gastrotoxicity of aspirin. This randomised crossover placebo-controlled trial in 12 healthy volunteers involved study of the protective effect of misoprostol (Cytotec) against the fall in DDP induced by a gram of aspirin. One day of treatment with misoprostol 200 micrograms morning and evening led to a statistically lower fall in DDP than with the placebo: area under the curve 130 +/- 315 mV.min cf. 589 +/- 465 mV.min (p = 0.012), maximum variation 11.4 +/- 11.3 mV cf. 24.9 +/- 13.2 mV (p = 0.04). This result independent of the antisecretory action of the compound, confirms the protective effect of this prostaglandin analogue against the gastric damage caused by aspirin.