[Prostaglandins and peptic ulcer disease]

The action of prostaglandins with regard to ulcers is made clear by their inhibition of gastric secretion, on the one hand, and their so-called cytoprotective effect, on the other. Experimental data are used in a summary of the explanations offered of the mechanisms underlying these two effects. In addition, attentions is directed to the possible rôle of the prostaglandins in gastric physiology, and hence in the physiopathology of ulcers. The therapeutic results obtained with prostaglandins in the management of gastroduodenal ulcer offer firm grounds for supposing that further developments will take place in the clinical field.