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.