Changes in gastric mucous
glycoprotein (GP) and effects of the anti-
ulcer agent,
sofalcone, on experimental
gastritis induced by 3 or 6 months administration of
sodium taurocholate (TCA) were investigated. Macromolecular mucous GP determined as the
hexose content, which was fractionated by gel filtration, was decreased with the development of
gastritis. This was also demonstrated by the histochemical observations. Soluble mucus, which is easily released into the incubation medium, was significantly decreased, and the insoluble mucus remaining in the gastric mucosa was not changed in 3-month-old
gastritis. On the other hand, insoluble mucus was significantly decreased in 6-month-old
gastritis. Synthetic activity of mucous GP, which was determined by incorporation of [3H]-
glucosamine and [35S]-
sulfate, was not changed in 3-month-old
gastritis, but, it was markedly decreased in 6-month-old
gastritis. The decrease in the content and the synthetic activity of macromolecular mucous GP in 6-month-old
gastritis were significantly normalized by 3 weeks administration of
sofalcone. The histochemical study also supported the
therapeutic effect of
sofalcone. These findings suggest that the
therapeutic effect of
sofalcone on experimental
gastritis is closely associated with increased mucus synthesis.