Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Gut logoLink to Gut
. 1998 Mar;42(3):344–350. doi: 10.1136/gut.42.3.344

Role of capsaicin sensitive nerves in epidermal growth factor effects on gastric mucosal injury and blood flow

J Kang 1, C Teng 1, F Chen 1, A Wee 1
PMCID: PMC1727039  PMID: 9577339

Abstract

Background—Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and capsaicin protect against experimental gastric mucosal injury. Capsaicin exerts its gastroprotective effect by stimulating afferent neurones leading to release of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) which causes gastric hyperaemia. EGF also causes gastric hyperaemia but whether it acts via capsaicin sensitive neurones is unknown. 
Aims—To assess the influence of: (1) capsaicin desensitisation on EGF effects on gastric mucosal injury and gastric mucosal blood flow; and (2) close arterial infusion of hCGRP8-37, a CGRP antagonist, on EGF effects on gastric mucosal blood flow. 
Methods—The absolute ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury model in the rat was used. Gastric mucosal damage was assessed by planimetry and light microscopy. Gastric mucosal blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in a gastric chamber preparation. 
Results—Capsaicin desensitisation abolished the gastroprotective and gastric hyperaemic effects of EGF. Close arterial infusion of hCGRP8-37 antagonised the hyperaemic effect of both capsaicin and EGF. 
Conclusion—Results show that EGF may exert its gastroprotective and gastric hyperaemic effects via capsaicin sensitive afferent neurones. 



Keywords: capsaicin; epidermal growth factor; gastric mucosal injury; gastric mucosal blood flow; calcitonin gene related peptide antagonist; rat

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (141.4 KB).

Figure 1 .

Figure 1

Open in a new tab

Effect of EGF, capsaicin, and their combination on gastric mucosal blood flow. (A) Animals with intact innervation; (B) capsaicin desensitised animals; (C) data shown as areas under the curve. Results are expressed as mean (SEM), n=8 per group. 


Figure 2 .

Figure 2

Open in a new tab

Effect of close arterial infusion of hCGRP8-37 on the gastric hyperaemic response to EGF and capsaicin. (A) Vehicle; (B) concomitant infusion of hCGRP8-37 (500 pmol/kg/min); (C) data shown as areas under the curve. 


Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Dembiński A., Gregory H., Konturek S. J., Polański M. Trophic action of epidermal growth factor on the pancreas and gastroduodenal mucosa in rats. J Physiol. 1982 Apr;325:35–42. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1982.sp014133. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Holzer P., Lippe I. T. Stimulation of afferent nerve endings by intragastric capsaicin protects against ethanol-induced damage of gastric mucosa. Neuroscience. 1988 Dec;27(3):981–987. doi: 10.1016/0306-4522(88)90201-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Holzer P., Pabst M. A., Lippe I. T., Peskar B. M., Peskar B. A., Livingston E. H., Guth P. H. Afferent nerve-mediated protection against deep mucosal damage in the rat stomach. Gastroenterology. 1990 Apr;98(4):838–848. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(90)90005-l. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Holzer P., Peskar B. M., Peskar B. A., Amann R. Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide induced by capsaicin in the vascularly perfused rat stomach. Neurosci Lett. 1990 Jan 1;108(1-2):195–200. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(90)90730-w. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Hui W. M., Chen B. W., Kung A. W., Cho C. H., Luk C. T., Lam S. K. Effect of epidermal growth factor on gastric blood flow in rats: possible role in mucosal protection. Gastroenterology. 1993 Jun;104(6):1605–1610. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(93)90635-p. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Kang J. Y. Peptic ulcer surgery in Singapore, 1951-80, with particular reference to racial differences in incidence. Aust N Z J Med. 1985 Oct;15(5):604–608. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Kang J. Y., Tay H. H., Guan R., Math M. V., Yap I., Labrooy S. J. Dietary supplementation with pectin in the maintenance treatment of duodenal ulcer. A controlled study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1988 Jan;23(1):95–99. doi: 10.3109/00365528809093855. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Kang J. Y., Teng C. H., Chen F. C. Effect of capsaicin and cimetidine on the healing of acetic acid induced gastric ulceration in the rat. Gut. 1996 Jun;38(6):832–836. doi: 10.1136/gut.38.6.832. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Kang J. Y., Teng C. H., Wee A., Chen F. C. Effect of capsaicin and chilli on ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in the rat. Gut. 1995 May;36(5):664–669. doi: 10.1136/gut.36.5.664. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Kang J. Y., Yeoh K. G., Chia H. P., Lee H. P., Chia Y. W., Guan R., Yap I. Chili--protective factor against peptic ulcer? Dig Dis Sci. 1995 Mar;40(3):576–579. doi: 10.1007/BF02064373. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Kelly S. M., Crampton J., Hunter J. O. Decreased salivary epidermal growth factor in rheumatoid disease: a possible mechanism for increased susceptibility to gastric ulceration. BMJ. 1990 Sep 1;301(6749):422–423. doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6749.422. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Kelly S. M., Hunter J. O. Epidermal growth factor stimulates synthesis and secretion of mucus glycoproteins in human gastric mucosa. Clin Sci (Lond) 1990 Nov;79(5):425–427. doi: 10.1042/cs0790425. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Kinoshita Y., Inui T., Chiba T. Calcitonin gene-related peptide: a neurotransmitter involved in capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerve-mediated gastric mucosal protection. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1993;17 (Suppl 1):S27–S32. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Konturek S. J., Brzozowski T., Konturek P. K., Majka J., Dembiński A. Role of salivary glands and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in gastric secretion and mucosal integrity in rats exposed to stress. Regul Pept. 1991 Feb 1;32(2):203–215. doi: 10.1016/0167-0115(91)90047-k. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Konturek S. J., Dembinski A., Warzecha Z., Bielanski W., Brzozowski T., Drozdowicz D. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the gastroprotective and ulcer healing actions of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (De-Nol) in rats. Gut. 1988 Jul;29(7):894–902. doi: 10.1136/gut.29.7.894. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Konturek S. J., Radecki T., Brzozowski T., Piastucki I., Dembiński A., Dembińska-Kieć A., Zmuda A., Gryglewski R., Gregory H. Gastric cytoprotection by epidermal growth factor. Role of endogenous prostaglandins and DNA synthesis. Gastroenterology. 1981 Sep;81(3):438–443. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Konturek S. J. Role of epidermal growth factor in gastroprotection and ulcer healing. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1988 Mar;23(2):129–133. doi: 10.3109/00365528809103956. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Lacy E. R., Ito S. Microscopic analysis of ethanol damage to rat gastric mucosa after treatment with a prostaglandin. Gastroenterology. 1982 Sep;83(3):619–625. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Li D. S., Raybould H. E., Quintero E., Guth P. H. Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in gastric hyperemic response to intragastric capsaicin. Am J Physiol. 1991 Oct;261(4 Pt 1):G657–G661. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1991.261.4.G657. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Lippe I. T., Lorbach M., Holzer P. Close arterial infusion of calcitonin gene-related peptide into the rat stomach inhibits aspirin- and ethanol-induced hemorrhagic damage. Regul Pept. 1989 Aug;26(1):35–46. doi: 10.1016/0167-0115(89)90102-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. MALHOTRA S. L. PEPTIC ULCER IN INDIA AND ITS AETIOLOGY. Gut. 1964 Oct;5:412–416. doi: 10.1136/gut.5.5.412. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Malhotra S. L. A comparison of unrefined wheat and rice diets in the management of duodenal ulcer. Postgrad Med J. 1978 Jan;54(627):6–9. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.54.627.6. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Mersereau W. A., Hinchey E. J. Effect of gastric acidity on gastric ulceration induced by hemorrhage in the rat, utilizing a gastric chamber technique. Gastroenterology. 1973 Jun;64(6):1130–1135. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Playford R. J., Vesey D. A., Haldane S., Alison M. R., Calam J. Dose-dependent effects of fentanyl on indomethacin-induced gastric damage. Digestion. 1991;49(4):198–203. doi: 10.1159/000200722. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Rydning A., Berstad A., Aadland E., Odegaard B. Prophylactic effect of dietary fibre in duodenal ulcer disease. Lancet. 1982 Oct 2;2(8301):736–739. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(82)90922-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Savage C. R., Jr, Inagami T., Cohen S. The primary structure of epidermal growth factor. J Biol Chem. 1972 Dec 10;247(23):7612–7621. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Skinner K. A., Tepperman B. L. Influence of desalivation on acid secretory output and gastric mucosal integrity in the rat. Gastroenterology. 1981 Aug;81(2):335–339. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Skov Olsen P., Poulsen S. S., Therkelsen K., Nexø E. Oral administration of synthetic human urogastrone promotes healing of chronic duodenal ulcers in rats. Gastroenterology. 1986 Apr;90(4):911–917. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(86)90867-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Tovey F. Peptic ulcer in India and Bangladesh. Gut. 1979 Apr;20(4):329–347. doi: 10.1136/gut.20.4.329. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Uchida M., Yano S., Watanabe K. The role of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves in protective effect of capsaicin against absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1991 Feb;55(2):279–282. doi: 10.1254/jjp.55.279. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Yeoh K. G., Kang J. Y., Yap I., Guan R., Tan C. C., Wee A., Teng C. H. Chili protects against aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in humans. Dig Dis Sci. 1995 Mar;40(3):580–583. doi: 10.1007/BF02064374. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Gut are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES