title: Melatonin promotes angiogenesis during protection and healing of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer: role of matrix metaloproteinase-2.
abstract: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 is considered as a crucial regulator of angiogenesis, a process of new blood vessel formation. We reported previously that melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, prevents indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. Herein, we investigated the effect of melatonin on MMP-2-mediated angiogenesis during gastroprotection. Angiogenic properties of melatonin were tested in both rat corneal micropocket assay and in mouse model of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions. Melatonin augmented angiogenesis that was associated with amelioration of MMP-2 expression and activity and, upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat cornea. Melatonin prevented gastric lesions by promoting angiogenesis via upregulation of VEGF followed by over-expression of MMP-2. Similarly, healing of gastric lesions was associated with early expression of VEGF followed by MMP-2. In addition, upregulation of MMP-2 was parallel to MMP-14 and inverse to tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP)-2 expression during gastroprotection. Our data demonstrated that melatonin exerts angiogenesis through MMP-2 and VEGF over-expression during protection and healing of gastric ulcers. This study highlights for the first time a phase-associated regulation of MMP-2 activity in gastric mucosa and an angiogenic action of melatonin to rescue indomethacin-induced gastropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Drug Development Diagnostics and Biotechnology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Krishnendu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.forename: Anamika Vivek
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Russel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: Snehasikta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swarnakar
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007213:Indomethacin; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D008550:Melatonin; D007213:Indomethacin