Epidermal growth factor increases basal mucosal blood flow in the rat colon, a prostaglandin dependent effect

Increased Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor-receptor in an Experimental Model of Colitis in Rats

“…We and others have shown previously that exogenously applied EGF protects the colonic mucosa and promotes healing in an experimental model of colitis in rats (1,2). The mechanisms leading to mucosal protection presumably include the induction of transforming growth factor-b (TGFb) expression with stimulation of epithelial cell migration (3), the EGF-induced increase in basal mucosal blood flow (4), the modulation of gastrointestinal motility (5) and the induction of mucus production and secretion (6). Furthermore, EGF is a potent mitogen for gastrointestinal epithelial cells in vivo (7) and in vitro (8).…”