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Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
TLQP-21, a VGF-derived peptide, prevents ethanol-induced gastric lesions: insights into its mode of action
Valeria Sibilia1, Francesca Pagani, Ilaria Bulgarelli
1Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Medical Toxicology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. valeria.sibilia@unimi.it
Background And Aim:
TLQP-21, a peptide derived from the vgf gene, has been reported to play a role in the regulation of rat gastric motility, but its influence on gastric mucosal integrity is unknown.
Experimental Approach:
We investigated the effects of central (0.8-8 nmol/rat) or peripheral (48-240 nmol/kg) TLQP-21 administration on ethanol- (EtOH, 50%, 1 ml/rat) induced gastric lesions in the rat. The mechanisms involved in such activity were also examined.
Results:
Central TLQP-21 injection dose-dependently reduced EtOH-induced gastric lesions (ED(50) = 3.16 nmol), while peripheral TLQP-21 administration had no effect. The TLQP-21 gastroprotective effect against EtOH injury was accompanied by a significant increase in gastric prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production linked to an increase in constitutive cyclooxygenase (COX) expression. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor L-NAME (70 mg/kg, s.c.), the nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin (10 mg/kg, orally) and capsaicin denervation removed TLQP-21 gastroprotection.
Conclusions:
This study shows for the first time that central TLQP-21 exerts a protective action on the gastric mucosa exposed to the noxious agent EtOH. TLQP-21 gastroprotection is mediated by constitutive-derived NO and PGE(2), and requires the integrity of sensory nerve fibers.
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