A natural flavonoid, IdB 1027, increases gastric luminal release of prostaglandin E2 in healthy subjects.

: IdB 1027 is an anthocyanidin pigment occurring in bilberries. In laboratory animals this compound shows gastric protective effects without influencing acid secretion. To study how IdB 1027 would affect gastric luminal release of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and basal fluid and acid secretion, we have carried out 'steady state' perfusions of the stomach in 10 healthy males before and after oral administration of IdB 1027 (600 mg b.i.d.) for 10 days. Two subjects were excluded from the study due to a low recovery of perfusates. Gastric fluid secretion, acidity, and acid output were unaffected during IdB 1027 administration, while a significant rise in luminal concentration (403 (124-910) vs 216 (49-506) pg/ml: median and range; p less than 0.05; n = 8 and luminal release 6.5 (2.2-14.6) vs 1.9 (1.0-8.1) ng/15 min; p less than 0.02; n = 8) of PGE2 occurred. The marked increase in gastric mucosal release of PGE2 may explain the antiulcer and gastroprotective effects of IdB 1027 observed in animal experiments.