Abstract
We examined the effects of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on acid-induced damage in a rat gastric epithelial cell line. Pretreatment of cells for 30 min with TGF-α, but not HGF, significantly prevented the acid-induced cell damage in a concentration-dependent manner. Genistein significantly reduced the protective effect of TGF-α. DNA synthesis in RGM1 cells was increased when the cells were incubated with TGF-α and HGF for 24 hr. We conclude that the protective effect of TGF-α against acid-induced damage seems to be caused by the activation of Na+/H+ exchangers and not by enhanced DNA synthesis.
