[Gastric microhemorrhage and acetylsalicylic acid. Prevention using prostaglandin E2]

The possible prophylactic effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pretreatment against gastric microbleedings caused by acetylsalicylic acid was investigated in six healthy volunteers. Gastric microbleeding rate was determined by the gastric tube technique of Fisher and Hunt, at first without any medication. The test was repeated after a two-day intake of acetylsalicylic acid (four times 0.5 g/d) and after two days of the same dose, 15 minutes after the administration of PGE2 (four times 0.5 mg/d). Between the two treatment periods, their sequence randomized, there was a treatment-free pause of at least eight days. Basic gastric microbleeding rate was 0.42 +/- 0.10 ml/d (means +/- Smeans). After administration of acetylsalicylic acid this rose highly significantly elevenfold (4.59 +/- 1.64 ml/d). Prophylactic administration of PGE2 prevented this rise (0.24; 0.04-2.55 ml/d) (median; 10th-90th percentile). There were no side effects to the administration of PGE2.