Solcoseryl, a deproteinized extract of calf blood, protects the gastric mucosa against various topical irritants and enhances the healing of chronic gastric ulcerations but the mechanisms of these effects have been little studied. This study was designed to elucidate the active principle in
Solcoseryl and to determine the role of
prostaglandins (PG) and
polyamines in the antiulcer properties of this agent. Using both, the radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay,
EGF-like material was detected in
Solcoseryl preparation.
Solcoseryl given s.c. prevented the formation of stress-induced gastric lesions and this was accompanied by an increase in the generation of
PGE2 in the gastric mucosa. Similar effects were obtained with
EGF. Pretreatment with
indomethacin, to suppress mucosal generation of
prostaglandins (PG), greatly augmented stress-induced gastric ulcerations and antagonized the protection exerted by both
Solcoseryl and
EGF.
Solcoseryl, like
EGF, enhanced the healing of chronic gastro-duodenal ulcerations. This effect was abolished by the pretreatment with
difluoromethylornithine, an inhibitor of
ornithine decarboxylase, the key
enzyme in the biosynthesis of
polyamines. The healing effects of
Solcoseryl and
EGF was also reduced by
prednisolone which decreased the angiogenesis in the granulation tissue in the
ulcer area. These results indicate that
Solcoseryl 1. contains
EGF-like material, 2. displays the protective and
ulcer healing effects similar to those of
EGF and involving both PG and
polyamines and 3. acts via similar mechanism as does
EGF.