Effect of oral ibuprofen on formation of prostaglandins E and F by human gallbladder muscle and mucosa

In a randomized double-blind trial, the effect of ibuprofen on the pain produced by gallbladder disease and on gallbladder mucosa and muscle wall tissue PGE and PGF production was evaluated to determine if the pain of cholecystitis and prostaglandin formation were altered by administration of a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor. To ascertain potential differences in extracellular and intracellular prostaglandin production rates, gallbladder mucosal cells and muscle tissues were maintained in tissue culture medium and then subsequently homogenized. PGE and PGF concentrations were measured in culture medium and homogenates utilizing radioimmunoassay. Gallbladder mucosa and muscle tissue produced nanogram per milligram protein amounts of PGE and PGF. As the histological estimation of the degree of inflammation increased, so also did the production of PGE. Increased inflammation was associated with unchanged PGF levels, resulting in an increased ratio of PGE/PGF with increasing inflammation. Oral ibuprofen administration was effective in decreasing PGE production by gallbladder mucosa and muscle and eliminating the significant correlation between PGE levels and the histologic degree of inflammation found in the placebo-treated patients. Ibuprofen significantly decreased the pain of cholecystitis when compared to placebo-treated patients. However, there was poor correlation between pain relief and changes in PGE production by gallbladder mucosa and muscle. PGE may play a mediator role in inflammation associated with cholecystitis. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibition decreases the pain associated with cholecystitis; however, the absence of correlation with decreased PGE formation suggests that other prostanoids may play an important role in producing the symptoms of cholecystitis.