[Clinical aspects of cytoprotection with prostaglandin analogs]

Various prostaglandins posses antisecretory and cytoprotective actions on gastric mucosa. Cytoprotection by prostaglandins is unrelated to the inhibition of gastric acid secretion and can also be detected in small intestinal mucosa of the rat. Prostaglandins protect gastric mucosa against ulcerogenic compounds such as nonsteriod anti-inflammatory agents (NOSAC) as well as against the necrotizing affect produced by alcohol, 25% sodium chloride, 0.2 N solium hydroxide and 0.6 N hydrochloride acid. Prostaglandins protect in doses that are far too small to inhibit gastric acid secretion. At these doses no side-effects have been noted so far. This cytoprotective effect of prostaglandins might be beneficial in the treatment of a variety of diseases in which gastric mucosal injury in present.