Chronic systemic treatment with epidermal growth factor induces hypergastrinaemia in Goettingen minipigs.
BACKGROUND
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an inhibitor of gastric acid secretion. The impact of chronic systemic treatment with EGF on intragastric pH and serum gastrin concentrations has not been investigated previously.


METHODS
Goettingen minipigs were treated with human recombinant EGF (hEGF) or placebo for 4 weeks. Once a week the acidity and protein concentration of gastric juice were determined, and serum gastrin concentrations measured. After 4 weeks, tissue specimens were obtained from the gastric antrum and immunostained for gastrin- and somatostatin-producing G- and D-cells. Furthermore, the development of antibodies against hEGF was evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
Subcutaneously administered hEGF, 30 micrograms/kg/day for 4 weeks, included a fourfold increase in basal serum gastrin concentration, increased the number of antral G-cells, and decreased the density of antral D-cells. The acidity of gastric fluid was reduced, and the protein concentration increased. All animals developed low-titred antibodies towards hEGF. The antibodies did not influence the extent to which the individual animal responded to the EGF treatment.
Vinter-Jensen
L
L
Dept. of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
Juhl
C O
CO
Rehfeld
J F
JF
Poulsen
S S
SS
Dajani
E Z
EZ
Nexø
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000737:chemistry; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D013997:Time Factors
D005755:Gastrins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor