Effects of secretin on content of PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha in gastric mucosa.

To determine the involvement of prostaglandins in the action of secretin on the promotion of the healing process in injured gastric mucosa, the effect of secretin infusion on the content of PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha (a major metabolite of PGI2) in human gastric mucosa was investigated. Specimens of both normal and injured mucosa were obtained from each of the patients who underwent polypectomy a week prior to the study. The specimens were obtained before and 20 min after intravenous infusion of secretin [2 Crick, Harper and Raper (CHR) units/kg] or saline. The basal content of PGE2 in injured mucosa was three times higher than that in normal gastric mucosa. Secretin did not increase the PGE2 content of normal gastric mucosa. However, secretin induced a sevenfold increase in the PGE2 content of injured mucosa. The content of 6-keto PGF1 alpha was not affected by secretin. These results suggest that, in injured mucosa, PGE2 is involved in the healing process and in the action of secretin as well.