Changes in mucosal levels of transforming growth factor-alpha from the oxyntic region and ulcer site during duodenal ulcer healing with ranitidine or sucralfate.

Changes in the levels of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in gastric mucosa during ulcer healing were studied in 24 patients with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcers, treated either with ranitidine (300 mg daily, at night) or with sucralfate (2 g twice daily). Endoscopic biopsies were taken from the gastric fundus and from the ulcer margin at baseline and after 7-10 days of treatment. TGF-alpha levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in paired samples from 22 patients (fundal) and 18 patients (duodenal). There were no significant changes in TGF-alpha levels in the fundus of the whole group or of either treatment group. At the ulcer site, however, there was a significant increase in TGF-alpha levels in the whole group (from 16.4 to 33 pg/mg protein (medians); P < 0.005), and an increasing trend was seen in both treatment groups but was statistically significantly only in the group treated with sucralfate (P < 0.03).