Gastric mucosal prostaglandin E 2 levels in cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Abstract

Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) tissue levels were measured, using radioimmunoassay, in specimens from the gastric antral mucosa in (a) healthy subjects, (b) patients without liver diseases in the absence or presence of gastric ulcers, and (c) patients with alcoholic cirrhosis in the absence or presence of gastric ulcers. These groups were divided further into subgroups with or without portal hypertension. PGE 2 tissue levels in subjects without liver diseases were not significantly different from those of cirrhotic patients without portal hypertension. However, in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension, the PGE 2 content was significantly lower, especially in the presence of congestion in the mucosa (about 70–80%). When a gastric antral ulcer was present, a further statistically significant decrease of the PGE 2 levels was observed. It was concluded that a decrease in the PGE 2 tissue levels in the gastric mucosa of cirrhotic patients is related to the presence of portal hypertension. Congestion in the mucosa, as a pathogenetically relevant factor for mucosal PGE 2 deficiency, may play a role.