RECOMBINANT HUMAN TRANSFORMING-GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA-3 ACCELERATES GASTRIC-ULCER HEALING IN RATS

Background: Gastric ulcer healing is mediated by various endogenous gr owth factors. In this experimental study the effect of locally and sys temically applied recombinant human transforming growth factor beta 3 (rhTGF-beta 3) on gastric ulcer healing was investigated in the rat. M ethods and Results: Gastric ulcers were induced with a cryoprobe, and ulcer healing was evaluated 7 days after local infiltration (0.5 mu g, 1.0 mu g, 2.5 mu g, and 50 mu g) or systemic (intravenous) applicatio n of TGF-beta 3 (500 mu g/kg body weight). Compared with controls, a d ose-dependent stimulation of ulcer healing (as evidenced by a reductio n in ulcer size) was observed 7 days after local infiltration of TGF-b eta 3 (1.0 mu g, 2.5 mu g, and 50 mu g). Corresponding increases in th e levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and intracellula r TGF-beta 3 expression and a downregulation of the TGF-beta type-II r eceptor expression were also observed in the granulation tissue of the ulcer margins. Systemic application of TGF-beta 3 produced effects si milar to those observed after local treatment with 50 mu g of the comp ound. Conclusion: Local and systemic TGF-beta 3 treatment accelerates gastric ulcer healing in rats.