The effects of esomeprazole combined with aspirin or rofecoxib on prostaglandin E2 production in patients with Barrett's oesophagus

BACKGROUND

Reducing mucosal cyclo-oxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E(2) production and suppressing intraoesophageal acid may be effective chemopreventive strategies in patients with Barrett's oesophagus.

AIM

To compare the effects of aspirin and rofecoxib when administered with esomeprazole on prostaglandin E(2) production, cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in patients with Barrett's oesophagus.

METHODS

This exploratory, multicentre, randomized, open-label, four-way crossover study in 45 patients with Barrett's oesophagus evaluated prostaglandin E(2) content, proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression after 10 days of sequential treatments with: esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily plus aspirin 325 mg once daily (E40 b.d. + A325); E40 b.d. plus rofecoxib 25 mg once daily (E40 b.d. + R25); E40 b.d.; and rofecoxib 25 mg once daily (R25).

RESULTS

Prostaglandin E(2) content reduction in Barrett's oesophagus tissue was significantly greater with E40 b.d. + A325 compared with E40 b.d. + R25, E40 b.d. or R25 (P < 0.05). All treatments containing E40 b.d. significantly decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression from baseline (P < 0.05). None of the treatments significantly reduced cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined treatment of esomeprazole 40 mg b.d. and aspirin 325 mg significantly decreased mucosal prostaglandin E(2) content and all treatments containing esomeprazole significantly reduced proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in patients with Barrett's oesophagus.