Protective Effect of Low Dose of Enprostil against Gastric Blood Loss Induced by Aspirin in Man

This study tested the efficacy of enprostil given both at potent antisecretory (35 μg twice daily) and weak antisecretory (7 μg twice daily) doses in preventing aspirin-induced gastric blood loss measured chemically in gastric washings in 10 volunteers. Aspirin (500 mg four times a day) increased gastric blood loss compared with placebo (p < 0.001). When enprostil was given in addition to aspirin, gastric blood loss was not significantly different from basal value. The pH of gastric washings was significantly increased by the large but not by the low dose of enprostil compared with placebo. The two doses of enprostil were equally efficacious, suggesting a mucosal protective effect of enprostil independent of acid inhibition.