16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 stimulates galactose and glucosamine but not serine incorporation in rat gastric mucous cells.

It has been suggested that the cytoprotective effect of prostaglandins could be mediated by an increased mucus glycoprotein secretion in the stomach. In the rat we studied the mucus glycoprotein synthesis after an in vivo treatment with 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (10 micrograms/kg X day subcutaneously) for 1 h or 7 days. The incorporation rate of [3H]galactose, [3H]glucosamine, and [3H]serine was determined by light microscopic autoradiography in the ex vivo vascularly perfused stomach. Prostaglandin increased the rate of [3H]galactose and [3H]glucosamine incorporation twofold to fourfold in the fundic surface mucous cells; but the total protein synthesis as measured by [3H]serine incorporation was not increased. Analyses of purified mucus glycoprotein did not show an effect on carbohydrate composition, oligosaccharide chain size, nor on buoyant density, after prostaglandin treatment. The present study reveals that 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 stimulates the mucus glycoprotein synthesis in the fundic mucous cells. This effect may well be one of the mechanisms by which prostaglandin protects the stomach against noxious agents.