title: Effects of epidermal growth factor on neonatal growth of rat intestines.
abstract: The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on neonatal intestines were examined in the rat. In 5-day-old rats, sucrase, trehalase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activities in the small intestines were significantly increased after subcutaneous injection of EGF for 3 days (1 microgram/rat/day). gamma-GTP activity was also accelerated after oral EGF administration (2 micrograms/rat/day). Small intestines of 12-day-old rats injected with EGF for 10 days (1 microgram/rat/day) were significantly heavier than those of controls. These results suggest that EGF influences neonatal growth improving enlargement and functional development of their intestines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Odaka
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hiramatsu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kudo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase