Significance of Salivary Epidermal Growth Factor in Peptic Ulcer Diseasein Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background/Aims: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are prone to developing peptic ulcers. However, of all the risk factors associated with peptic ulcers, none have been shown to be more prevalent in HD patients than in the general population. However, salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) may play a role in peptic ulcer diseases. Methods: Salivary EGF levels and bioactivities were assayed in 47 maintenance HD patients and 30 normal controls, and the molecular weights of EGF were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Salivary EGF levels were not different between both groups of subjects (4.2 ± 0.34 vs. 5 ± 0.54 ng/mg protein, NS), and HPLC revealed that salivary EGF in both groups had similar molecular weights. However, salivary EGF bioactivity was significantly depressed in the HD patients as compared to the normal controls (0.59 ± 0.08 vs. 1.55 ± 0.15 ng/mg protein, p < 0.01). Stepwise multiple regression showed that the low salivary EGF levels were associated with female gender (p < 0.05), while low salivary EGF bioactivity was associated with HD per se (p < 0.05). In the 22 HD patients who underwent gastric endoscopy, salivary EGF bioactivity was significantly lower in those with peptic ulcers than in those without (0.38 ± 0.08 vs. 0.69 ± 0.08 ng/mg protein, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Decreased salivary EGF bioactivity may contribute to peptic ulcer disease among maintenance HD patients.

Modulation of Neutrophil Function by Hormones

“…Another view is that the submandibular gland derived factors participate in "set point" determination that impacts on the outcome of an injury or inflammation [140,141]. Supporting this later view are the observations that removal of the submandibular glands is associated the aggravation of a numerous physiological parameters, including acid induced esophagitis [142], the harmful effects of epinephrine on the heart [143], induction and maintenance of optimal immunity in the stomach [144], growth and metabolic function of the liver [145], inflammatory responses to bacterial endotoxins [145][146][147], maintenance of body temperature [140], optimal reproductive function [148], and the healing of oral [149] and peripheral [150] wounds, and esophageal [151] and gastric ulcers [152,153].…”

Sex-specific association of epidermal growth factor gene polymorphisms with acute respiratory distress syndrome

“…In addition, it is evident that the EGFR signaling pathways are regulated by sex hormones [19–21]. Studies have shown sex difference of salivary and tear EGF levels [22, 23], as well as the EGF effects in ulcer healing [24]. Moreover, sex-specific associations of EGF polymorphisms with phenotypes have been found in schizophrenia [25, 26].…”