To assess the pathogenetic significance of the prostaglandin level in the mucous coat of the stomach in patients with osteoarthritis who take several types of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.
The study of the E2 and F2alpha (prostaglandins levels in the blood and mucous coat of the stomach was conducted in 20 patients with stomach ulcer, 15 patients with osteoarthritis taking diclofenac and 16 patients taking celecoxib.
It has been shown that the E2 prostaglandin level decreases both in the blood and in the mucous coat of the stomach in patients with stomach ulcer. If non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are taken, the E2 prostaglandin level in the mucous coat of the stomach decreases even if there are no erosive-ulcerous lesions. If celecoxib is taken, the changes in the prostaglandin E2 and F2beta level in the mucous coat of the stomach are less marked. Patients with the low content of E2 prostaglandin in the mucous coat of the stomach develop gastropathies more frequently even before non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are taken.
Reduction of the basal prostaglandin secretion in the mucous coat of the stomach is a risk factor of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs gastropathy appearance. The use of selective COX-2 inhibitors makes it possible to reduce the risk of gastropathy appearance in this group of patients.