Deleterious effects of prostaglandin E2 in reflux oesophagitis

Abstract

There is good evidence in the medical literature that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exert salutory effects in animal models of reflux oesophagitis. This hypothesis accounts for these observations by describing the biochemical mechanism of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Since nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, it is proposed that prostaglandins exert deleterious effects during oesophagitis. This hypothesis is supported by clinical observations and can explain several features of oesophagitis, especially the relationship between inflammation and dysmotility. The controversial implication of this hypothesis is that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful in the therapy of severe oesophagitis.