Geranylgeranylacetone and cetraxate hydrochloride increase UDP-galactosyltransferase activity in rat gastric mucosa

UDP-galactosyltransferase (UDP-Gal-T) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of mucus glycoprotein which plays an important role in gastric mucosal defensive mechanisms. Analysis of gastric UDP-Gal-T activity should clarify the mechanisms of the action of antiulcer drugs regarding gastric defensive factors. Here, we examined UDP-Gal-T activity in rat gastric mucosa treated with the antiulcer drugs geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) and cetraxate hydrochloride (CET). The effects of coadministration of indomethacin and exogenous administration of prostaglandins (PGs) were also studied. GGA and CET significantly increased UDP-Gal-T activity, and coadministration of indomethacin inhibited the increase of enzyme activity. UDP-Gal-T activity level with GGA was significantly higher than the control level, even in the presence of indomethacin. With CET, however, this was not the case. Among PGs, PGE1 significantly increased enzyme activity. Concomitant administration of PGE1 and GGA or CET increased UDP-Gal-T activity even with indomethacin to the levels achieved when these antiulcer drugs were administered without indomethacin. Our findings suggest that GGA and CET exert antiulcer effects by increasing mucus glycoprotein synthesis and that endogenous PG synthesis may be involved in this process. However, mechanisms not mediated by endogenous PGs may also exist in the stimulatory action of GGA on UDP-Gal-T activity.</p

Solitary Spinal Epidural Metastasis from Gastric Cancer

Solitary epidural space metastasis of a malignant tumor is rare. We encountered a 79-year-old male patient with solitary metastatic epidural tumor who developed paraplegia and dysuria. The patient had undergone total gastrectomy for gastric cancer followed by chemotherapy 8 months priorly. The whole body was examined for suspected metastatic spinal tumor, but no metastases of the spine or important organs were observed, and a solitary mass was present in the thoracic spinal epidural space. The mass was excised for diagnosis and treatment and was histopathologically diagnosed as metastasis from gastric cancer. No solitary metastatic epidural tumor from gastric cancer has been reported in English. Among the Japanese, 3 cases have been reported, in which the outcome was poor in all cases and no definite diagnosis could be made before surgery in any case. Our patient developed concomitant pneumonia after surgery and died shortly after the surgery. When a patient has a past medical history of malignant tumor, the possibility of a solitary metastatic tumor in the epidural space should be considered