LUMINAL EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR PRESERVES MUCOSAL MASS OF SMALL-BOWELIN FASTING RATS

1. Easting causes atrophy of small bowel mucosa which rapidly resolves with luminal feeding, This effect of enteral nutrient may be mediated by stimulation of growth factor secretion, We therefore evaluated whe ther luminal administration of epidermal growth factor, a peptide horm one found in gastrointestinal contents and trophic for small bowel muc osa, would prevent the mucosal atrophy associated with starvation, 2. Adult rats were: (i) fasted for 3 days, (ii) fasted and then refed for 1 day or (iii) fasted and then refed for 2 days, During the 2 days be fore study, animals in each group received infusions of epidermal grow th factor (2.5 mu g/day) or diluent alone into distal jejunum, 3, Epid ermal growth factor treatment of fasted animals resulted in a tripling of mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity (P < 0.001) and a doublin g of mucosal DNA content (P < 0.001) in the jejunum, values similar to those of refed animals, Epidermal growth factor infusion in refed rat s resulted in a further doubling of mucosal ornithine decarboxylase ac tivity (P < 0.001), but no additional increase in DNA content, Effects of epidermal growth factor infusion were generally greater in jejunum than ileum, 4. In conclusion, luminal exposure to epidermal growth fa ctor prevents starvation-induced mucosal atrophy in the small bowel, b ut does not enhance the mucosal growth associated with refeeding, Effe cts are greatest at the site of administration, Luminal epidermal grow th factor is a potential mediator of the indirect effects of nutrient on mucosal growth in the small bowel, Enteral administration of epider mal growth factor holds promise for preventing atrophy and maintaining mucosal integrity in starved and post-operative patients.