Characterization of Metalloproteinases in Rat Gastric Tissues with Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcers

Abstract

To clarify the destruction of connective tissue in ulcerated regions, collagenase and gelatinolytic activities in homogenates of rat acetic acid-induced ulcers were examined. Gelatinolytic activity in the ulcerated regions was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. Collagenase, however, was not detectable. Gelatin-gel-electrophoresis showed that the gelatinolytic activity was due to several species, some of which crossreacted with a sheep anti-(rabbit prostromelysin) antibody. The H₂ -blocker, famotidine, significantly depressed the gelatinolytic activity in the ulcerated regions. Thus, both stromelysin and gelatinolytic enzymes may play important roles in the degradation of the basement membrane, especially type IV collagen.

Key Words:

• Basement membrane
• gelatinolytic activity
• rat acetic acid-induced ulcer
• stromelysin
• type IV collagen