Sucralfate counteracts the inhibition of gastric mucosal mucin receptor by Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide.
BACKGROUND
Among the disturbances in gastric mucosal defense associated with Helicobacter pylori infection is the loss of mucus coat continuity, which results in a severe disturbance in the ability of mucus coat to maintain its functions as the pre-epithelial element of gastric mucosal defense. Here, we show that H. pylori, through its cell-wall lipopolysaccharide, disrupts the interaction between gastric mucin and its mucosal receptor, and that sucralfate is capable of counteracting this untoward effect of the bacterium.


METHODS
The receptor was isolated from octylglucoside-solubilized gastric mucosal epithelial cell membranes by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-bound wheat germ agglutinin and following iodination with 125I, used in the binding assays for mucin in the presence of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide and sucralfate.


RESULTS
Preincubation of the receptor protein with H. pylori lipopolysaccharide led to a decrease in mucin binding. The inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentration of lipopolysaccharide and reached a maximum of 91% at 30 micrograms/ml. The effect of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide was countered by sucralfate, which caused a dose-dependent relief of the inhibitory effect. The maximum (75%) restoration in mucin-receptor binding occurred at 60 micrograms/ml sucralfate.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide strong evidence for the effectiveness of sucralfate in preventing the loss of gastric mucus coat continuity caused by H. pylori.
Slomiany
A
A
Research Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, USA.
Piotrowski
J
J
Slomiany
B L
BL
D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005752:Gastric Mucins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D005752:Gastric Mucins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013392:Sucralfate