The effects of epidermal growth factor on intestinal glucose transport
were examined in mice. Glucose transport measurements were performed
using an in vitro assay system that estimated the rate of accumulation
of [H-3]3-O-methyl-D-glucose. In Experiment 1, two-mo-old male and fe
male mice were subcutaneously injected once daily with 0, 150 of 300 m
u g epidermal growth factor/kg body weight for 3 d. Jejunal glucose ac
tive transport was increased in a dose-dependent manner. There were no
gender-related differences in intestinal glucose transport or the res
ponse to exogenous epidermal growth factor. In Experiment 2, 2-, 10- a
nd 18-mo-old mice were administered 0 or 300 mu g epidermal growth fac
tor/kg body weight using a treatment similar to that used in Experimen
t 1. Active intestinal glucose transport was 30% greater in response t
o epidermal growth factor in each of the three age groups. Ouabain-sen
sitive and -insensitive jejunal oxygen consumption was increased in re
sponse to epidermal growth factor such that total jejunal respiration
was stimulated 15 to 31%. The epidermal growth factor related percenta
ge increase in glucose absorption was similar to the percentage increa
se in oxygen consumption such that the apparent energetic efficiency o
f glucose transport was unaffected. In both experiments, the active co
mponent of glucose transport was increased by epidermal growth factor
while passive transport was not affected. Jejunal morphology and mucos
al DNA and protein concentration were not altered by epidermal growth
factor treatment. Epidermal growth factor-induced increases in intesti
nal absorption was not attributable to mucosal hyperplasia.