Increased Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 During Gastric Ulcer Healing in Rats

This study was done to investigate theexpression and localization of transforming growthfactor-β1 (TGF-β1) inthe gastric ulcerated tissues produced by acetic-acidduring the healing process, by northern blot analysis and immunohistochemicaltechnique. Ulcerated TGF-β1 mRNA levelswere significantly increased from days 3 to 18, in asimilar manner to extracellular matrix proteins, andreturned to control levels at the scarred phase.Immunoreactive TGF-β1 was localized inepithelial cells beneath proliferative zone in intacttissues. 1 In ulcerated tissues, TGF-β1was localized in macrophages in the ulcer bed and in fibroblasts ormyofibroblasts in the granulation tissues. Treatmentwith prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)further stimulated ulcerated TGF-β1expression, being associated with the acceleration of gastric ulcer healing, while treatment withindomethacin reduced TGF-β1 expression,being accompanied by the delayed ulcer healing. Thecombination of PGE1 and indomethacin reversedthe indomethacin-induced decrease in ulcerated TGF-β1.Thus, TGF-β1 may be implicated in theacceleration of gastric ulcer healing.