HUMAN CHRONIC GASTRIC-ULCER AND CONNEXIN

this study we investigated the relationship between chronic gastric ul cers and the appearance of connexin 32 or connexin 43. Samples were ta ken endoscopically and the appearance of connexin 32 or connexin 43 wa s assessed by Western blotting using anticonnexin 32 or anticonnexin 4 3 antibodies. Normal gastric mucosa contained both connexin 32 and con nexin 43. In contrast, gastric mucosa surrounding a chronic gastric ul cer lesion contained a smaller amount of connexin 32 and connexin 43. We also investigated the relationship between the appearance of connex ins and ulcer healing. Antiulcer treatment for chronic gastric ulcer w as administered. When ulcer healing was observed, connexins 32 and 43, which decreased at the active ulcer stage, had returned almost to lev els observed in normal gastric mucosa. These data clearly indicate tha t disappearance of both connexin 32 and connexin 33 is closely related to the stage of chronic gastric ulcer lesions.