A family of chemically substituted biopolymers has been developed to protect and stabilize heparin binding growth factors and was shown to enhance tissue repair in various in vivo models. One of these compounds, a dextran derivative named RGTA11, was tested for its ability to treat acute gastritis and colic ulceration models induced by ethanol and acid. RGTA was not efficient in reducing nor in protecting against gastric acidic secretion compared to EGF. Ethanol gastritis measured by the alteration score of the injured mucosa was reduced by 56% with the oral administration of RGTA at doses of 100 microg/kg (p < 0.01). A similar effect was obtained by PGE2 at a similar dose. Alterations of the colic mucosa were reduced after 72 h by 75% after oral administration of RGTA11. RGTA presents both anti-inflammatory and tissue repair activities mediated by growth factor protection. These two properties would be beneficial for digestive ulcer treatment. The results presented here provide evidence for these effects.
Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.