Effects of tetragastrin on mucus glycoprotein in rat gastric mucosal protection

The effects of tetragastrin on mucus glycoprotein (mucin) metabolism and mucosal protection in rat gastric mucosa were investigated. Rats were administered with various doses of tetragastrin (12, 120, or 400 micrograms/kg body weight; s.c.), followed by 50% ethanol-induced gastric injury. Tetragastrin caused a significant increase in mucin content in the corpus mucosa and prevented 50% ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in a dose-dependent manner. For assessment of the effects of tetragastrin on the metabolism of gastric mucin in detail, changes in mucin distribution in the three different layers of rat gastric mucosa were examined one hour after single administration of tetragastrin. A significant increase in the mucin content was noted in the mucus gel and surface mucosal layer. Mucin content in the deep mucosa corresponding mainly to the mucus neck cell mucin underwent virtually no change by this treatment. An increase in mucin in the mucus gel and surface mucosa would thus appear due to the administration of tetragastrin and may possibly be related to the protective action of the gastric mucosa against injury. The data demonstrate a possibility that gastrin may have potential for enhancing gastric mucosal protection associated with mucus secretion and/or mucus synthesis on the surface mucosa of rat gastric mucosa.