Inhibition of Nocturnal Gastric Secretion in Normal Human Volunteers by Misoprostol: A Synthetic Prostaglandin E₁ Methyl Ester Analog

Misoprostol (SC-29333) is a synthetic prostaglandin E₁ analog that has been found to be a potent inhibitor of gastric secretion in animals. Nocturnal gastric antisecretory activity of misoprostol, in tablet form, was studied in 16 adult volunteers, under basal conditions. The study was a randomized, double-blind, cross-over, comparison of placebo, and three graded doses of misoprostol (50, 100, and 200 μg). Misoprostol exhibited a statistically significant inhibition of total acid output only at the 200 μg dose and this inhibition was maintained for 3 h postadministration of the drug. The antisecretory effects of misoprostol were characterized by suppression of H⁺ ion but not of the volume of gastric secretion. No untoward effects were noted in the volunteers. As a consequence of the gastric antisecretory effects, the present studies indicate that misoprostol is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of peptic ulcer.