SUMMARY This study compares the effect of epidermal growth factor and prostaglandins (PGE2 or PGI2), applied topically to gastric mucosa, on gastric secretion and formation of ASA-induced gastric ulcerations in rats. Epidermal growth factor given topically in non-antisecretory doses prevented dose-dependently the formation of ASA-induced ulcers without affecting prostaglandin generation but with a significant rise in DNA synthesis in the oxyntic mucosa. The anti-ulcer effect of topical prostaglandins was also accompanied by an increase in DNA synthesis. This study indicates that topical epidermal growth factor, like PGE2 or PGI2, is cytoprotective and that this cytoprotection is not mediated by the inhibition of gastric secretion or prostaglandin formation but related to the increase in DNA synthesis in oxyntic mucosa.Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a single chain of 53 amino acid residues which inhibits gastric acid secretion and stimulates epithelial cell proliferation.1 2 A hypothetical role for EGF is protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa, as it is produced by salivary and duodenal glands3 and may be secreted into the gut lumen. So far only prostaglandins (PGs) Received for publication 7 May 1981 prostaglandin generation, and DNA synthesis in the oxyntic mucosa.
SECRETORY STUDIESTen rats were prepared with chronic gastric fistulae, as described by Lane and Ivy,6 and used for the secretory studies. Experiments started about one month after surgery. Rats were allowed only water for at least 24 hours and were kept in individual metabolic cages to prevent coprophagia. In the morning, animals were placed in restraining Bollman cages, the gastric fistula was opened, and the stomach washed out with tap-water. The tests were conducted with seven to 10 day intervals between successive experiments on the same animal. Gastric secretion was collected at half-hourly intervals in the graduated tubes, the volume was noted, and hydrogen ion concentration was determined by titration to pH 7 0 with 0-1 N NaOH using an automatic titrator (Radiometer, Copenhagen) and ion output was expressed in mmol/30 min. Pepsin content was also measured in each sample using Anson's haemoglobin method7 and expressed in mg/30 min.Two series of secretory studies were performed, one under basal conditions and another after pentagastrin stimulation. Basal gastric secretion 927 on 10 May 2018 by guest. Protected by copyright.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.