Gastric Cytoprotection by Ornoprostil, a PGE1 Analogue, in Human Subjects

Abstract

Ornoprostil, a methyl derivative of PGE1 developed in Japan, was tested for its effect on gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol in human subjets. Sixteen healthy volunteers were given either ornoprostil or a placebo, followed by 20 ml of 70% ethanol instilled into the gastric antral mucosa. Fifteen minutes later, visible mucosal lesions were evaluated endoscopically. The biopsy specimens were obtained from mucosa that had been exposed to ethanol but looked normal. The specimens were assessed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The gross mucosal damage demonstrated endoscopically was significantly less (p