EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR REGULATES INTESTINAL GLUTAMINE UPTAKE DURING TOTAL PARENTERAL-NUTRITION

Sprague Dawley rats were randomised into three groups: group I (chow) were fed rat chow and water ad libitum, group II total parenteral nutr ition (TPN) received a standard formula of TPN, and group III (TPN - e pidermal growth factor (EGF)) received the same TPN as group II and in jections of EGF (O.1 mu g/gm body weight) subcutaneously twice daily. Glutamine (GLN) concentrations in tissues and blood were measured by r eversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Gut GLN extracti on was calculated by dividing the difference in GLN concentrations (Co ne) between the carotid artery (ARI) and portal vein (PV) by the arter ial concentration [(ART Cone - PV Conc)/ART Cone]. TPN induced a marke d reduction of GLN concentration in tissues and blood, and also reduct ion of gut GLN extraction. When EGF was administered along with TPN, g ut GLN concentration did not fall and gut GLN extraction was increased by 15% (TPN - EGF 1 week, P < 0.05). Arterial blood concentration of GLN was increased when TPN and EGF were used for 1 week (P < 0.05 vs c ontrol). But EGF did not prevent the GLN concentration of other tissue s decreasing during TPN. Our results suggest that EGF can regulate int estinal uptake of GLN during TPN.