Nerve growth factor potentiates stress-induced gastric ulceration.

Increased salivary flow stimulated by intravenous isoproterenol (IPR) (6 mg/kg) doubled the incidence of gastric stress ulceration in normal male mice, but not after submandibular sialadenectomy. The submandibular salivary glands in these mice secrete large amounts of several growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Intragastric instillation of a quantity of high molecular weight NGF equimolar to that in IPR-stimulated saliva doubled the incidence of stress ulcers after submandibular sialadenectomy. This action of NGF in vivo is not mediated by its nerve growth promoting properties nor its plasminogen activating property.