Effects of alcohol on laminin in rat gastric mucosa

Abstract

Following ethanol exposure, tlie gastric surface epithelium often exfoliates. leaving a denuded basal lamina. Viable cells from tlie gland migrate along thc basal lamina to repair the defect. a process known as restitution. Laniinin. the major lion-collagenous glycoprotein of basal laminac, functions in cellular adhesion and migration and. tliereforc. any alteration of this molecule b! ethunol may influence subsequent rcs t i t~~t ionA. fter a 5 o r 60 minutes treatment with saline. 5OCl/ll or 100% ethanol. gastric tissues were removed from fasted female Sprag~~e-Dawlerayt s, fixed in 1% paraformaldehyde and processed in Lowicryl. Once embedded and sectioned. specimens were incubated in anti-laminin followed hy protein A-gold. The area of lamina drnsa from interfoveolal-. pit and gland regions was measured and g,old particles counted. Absolute cthanol caused dirnin~shed imrnunogold binding in all regions at all time periods. except the gland at 60 minutes. Exposure to 50% ethanol for 5 minutes did not alter laminin bincling. although 60 minutes after 50%) alcohol, laminin immunolabelling was increased. Alcohol concentration alters laminin immuno~old binding. and therefore may influence restitituion.