Influence of epidermal growth factor and interferon gamma on healing of oesophageal corrosive burns in the rat.

A study was performed to attempt to modify the healing response to severe oesophageal corrosive burns to prevent complications. The study was performed on four groups each of 15 Wistar rats: a control group, an untreated group and groups given epidermal growth factor (EGF) alone or EGF for 5 days and interferon (IFN) gamma from the sixth to 20th day. In the last three groups an oesophageal lesion was induced with 2.5 mol l-1 sodium hydroxide solution. The efficacy of treatment was assessed on days 2, 5 and 20 by measurement of weight gain, oesophageal internal lumen, stenosis index (wall thickness: lumen diameter) and collagen production. On day 5, collagen synthesis was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in rats given EGF than in the untreated group. On day 20, no significant difference was seen in weight gain between the control rats and either treated group and stenoses were present in all untreated rats and in none of the treated group. The stenosis index on day 20 was lower in the groups given EGF and EGF-IFN-gamma than in untreated rats (P < 0.05) and collagen production was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the group given EGF and IFN-gamma than in the other animals. The sequential use of EGF and IFN-gamma significantly reduced the frequency of residual stenosis.