Effect of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor on stomach ulcers in rats and mice.

Aim: To study the curative effects of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (rh-bFGF) on gastric ulcer healing.

Methods: Pylorus ligated, water immersion stress-induced, reserpine-induced, and acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats or mice were prepared. Morphometric analyses on ulcer were performed using microscope and true color image analysis system. The DNA and RNA contents were measured by diphenylamine method and orcinol method, respectively.

Results: In acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats, rh-bFGF 2.5-40 kU.kg-1 i.g. accelerated the chronic ulcer healing with a bell-shaped dose-effect curve and the best dosage was 10 kU.kg-1. The regenerated gland epithelium width, density of capillaries in granulation tissue, and collagen content in scar tissues obviously increased in rh-bFGF-treated groups. Simultaneously, rh-bFGF promoted the differentiation and maturation of regenerated glands around ulcers. rh-bFGF 2-4 kU.kg-1 s.c. also increased the synthesis of RNA in ulcer tissues. In acute gastric ulcers, rh-bFGF i.g. was only effective on pylorus ligated ulcers, but showed no effect on total acid output and pepsin activity in gastric juice of rats.

Conclusion: rh-bFGF promoted the gastric ulcer healing and improved the quality of gastric ulcer healing.