Epidermal growth factor promotes proliferation and improves restoration after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an attractive and promising therapeutic application for intestinal disorders. The current study examined its influence on proliferation and restoration after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat small intestine. Six groups were performed: sham operation (Con); ischemia for 30 min with subsequent reperfusion for 30 min (I/R); I/R injured with 500 μg/kg EGF injected 5 min before ischemia (Pre-l); I/R injured with 50 μg/kg EGF injected 5 min before ischemia (Pre-s); I/R injured with 500 μg/kg EGF injected 5 min after reperfusion (Post-l); and I/R injured with 50 μg/kg EGF injected 5 min after reperfusion (Post-s). Intestinal histological damage, crypt cell proliferation degree, mucosal permeability, tight junction proteins expression, and levels of inflammation factors were studied for each group. Compared with the I/R group, administration of EGF in the Pre-l, Pre-s, and Post-l groups all presented a significant proliferation effect. The levels of FD4, IL-6, and TNF-α were dramatically decreased in all EGF-treated groups. Histological destruction was improved and TJs recovery was notably accelerated in all EGF-treated groups except the Post-s group. D-lactate concentration was only diminished in the Pre-l group. These results suggest that mucosally applied EGF can promote intestinal proliferation and improve restoration after I/R injury. EGF intraluminal administration is an effective treatment against intestinal I/R injury.