RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALING OF ACETIC ACID-INDUCED CHRONIC GASTRIC-ULCER AND CONNEXIN

This study examined the relationship between healing of acetic acid-in duced chronic gastric ulcer and connexin formation. In addition, the e ffect of anti-ulcer drugs on ulcer healing and the presence of connexi n was investigated. In a rat model, acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers were healed without administration of drugs after 14 days. Appearance of an electrophoretic connexin 32 band was observed 7 days after ulce r induction. Administration of cimetidine (3 mg/day) promoted ulcer he aling, i.e., ulcers were healed 12 days after ulcer induction, 2 days earlier than the control. The appearance of a connexin 32 band in elec trophoresis was observed on the fourth day after ulcer induction. Admi nistration of cimetidine at a higher dose further promoted ulcer heali ng and the connexin 32 band was more strongly visible. After administr ation of i.p. 2 nM EGF, acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers were healed 12 days after ulcer induction and the appearance of connexin 32 was o bserved on the fourth day after induction. These results indicate that connexin 32 is related to the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers.