title: Sucralfate modulates uPAR and EGFR expression in an experimental rat model of cervicitis.
abstract: Sucralfate is a drug used in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer; it is cytoprotective and able to increase the bioavailability of several growth factors, modulating the wound healing process. In this study we tested the possible therapeutic effect of Sucralfate in the treatment of ulcerative lesions occurring in uterine cervix; to investigate such effect we used an experimental rat model of cervicitis in which the uPAR and EGFR expression were evaluated. Cervicitis was induced in wild and ovariectomized Wistar female rats by an acetic acid-soaked tampon. The animals were divided into two main groups (4 and 7 days) and Sucralfate was administered topically until the day they were sacrificed. In order to distinguish physiological and drug-induced healing, quantitative and qualitative uPAR and EGFR expression were evaluated by using Western blot and Immunohistochemistry techniques. Western blot analysis demonstrated an increased expression of both receptors after 4 days from wounding in wild and ovariectomized animals. In particular in ovariectomized animals the expression of uPAR and EGFR increased after 4 days while it reduced following the administration of Sucralfate. In wild rats the same was observed for uPAR expression, while EGFR was different; in fact, its expression increased significantly at day 4 in the animals treated with the drug and only at day 7 in those untreated. Immunohistochemistry highlighted a noteworthy epithelial colocalization of EGFR and uPAR after 4 days in the animals treated with Sucralfate. We conclude that Sucralfate can promote the healing of ulcerative cervicitis and moreover, it reduces the normal healing time because of its modulatory property on uPAR and EGFR expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Pharmacology section, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. labgiovannini@neuroscienze.unipi.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mannari
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Migliori
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Origlia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sansò
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boldrini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovannini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; C524900:Plaur protein, rat; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D013392:Sucralfate; D066246:ErbB Receptors