T1967 iNOs-Derived No Mediates TFF2 Expression in the Damaged Mucosa of Aspirin-Treated Rats

Trefoil peptides are involved in mechanisms of defense and repair in the gastrointestinal tract. We have recently demonstrated a HIF-1 dependent induction of TFF genes by hypoxia in gastric epithelial cells but less is known about TFF genes regulation In Vivo. Nitric oxide has been shown to modulate HIF-1 activity in cellular models. AIM: To analyze the role of iNOS-derived NO on HIF-1α stabilization and the TFF2 mRNA expression in the damaged mucosa of aspirin-treated rats. MATERIALM b) significantly reduced the increase in TFF2 mRNA expression observed 3 and 6 h after aspirin administration, and delayed the fall of TFF2 mRNA expression at 24h; c) diminished HIF-1α immunostaining. CONCLUSIONS: iNOS-derived NO induces HIF-1α stabilization and TFF2 mRNA expression in the damaged mucosa of aspirin-treated rats. These results suggest that iNOS-derived NO may contribute to the recovery of the gastric mucosa by modulating the epithelial gene expression.