Healing with basic fibroblast growth factor is associated with reduced indomethacin induced relapse in a human model of gastric ulceration.
BACKGROUND
Acid stable basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes angiogenesis and healing of gastric ulcers in rats and reduces subsequent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced relapse.


OBJECTIVE
To test in a double blind, placebo controlled, three way crossover study whether bFGF promotes healing and reduces subsequent relapse in a human model of gastric ulceration.


METHODS
Twelve healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Subjects took aspirin 900 mg twice daily (days 1-3) with bFGF 0.1 mg twice daily or cimetidine 400 mg twice daily or placebo (days 1-14) and then indomethacin 50 mg thrice daily (days 15-21). Endoscopy was performed on days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22 during each treatment period. Eight antral biopsy specimens were taken on day 1 and the number of unhealed biopsy induced mini-ulcers and NSAID induced erosions counted during subsequent endoscopies.


RESULTS
Basic FGF and cimetidine were protective against aspirin and indomethacin induced duodenal (but not gastric) injury compared with placebo. There was significant relapse of biopsy induced mini-ulcers after indomethacin only in the placebo group (0 (0-0) before v 1 (0-4.5) after; p > 0.05). TGP-580 was detected in serum of one volunteer.


CONCLUSIONS
Healing with bFGF (and cimetidine) was associated with reduced NSAID induced ulcer relapse in this model of gastric ulceration.
Hull
M A
MA
Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Knifton
A
A
Filipowicz
B
B
Brough
J L
JL
Vautier
G
G
Hawkey
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D012008:Recurrence; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D002927:Cimetidine; D001241:Aspirin; D007213:Indomethacin