TROPHIC EFFECTS BY EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR ON DUODENAL MUCOSA AND EXOCRINE PANCREAS IN RATS

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent growth factor with possible implications on the regulation of pancreatic secretion and duodenal ab sorption but also on pancreatic tumor growth. In the present study the growth effect on duodenal mucosa and pancreas by a 14-day continuous infusion of three different doses of EGF (4, 30 and 60 mu g EGF/kg/24 h) was studied in rats. The EGF content in duodenal mucosa and pancrea tic tissue was significantly increased by 30 and 60 mu g/kg/24 h of EG F while plasma levels were only marginally increased. Neither duodenal mucosal nor pancreatic weights were changed but DNA content in both t issues was increased with the higher EGF doses. long-term EGF infusion has moderate trophic effect on duodenal mucosa and the pancreas. Ther e is a high tissue uptake of EGF, specially in duodenal mucosa, The hy perplasia seems to be related to tissue levels of EGF but not to plasm a levels.