title: Recombinant human epidermal growth factor prevents sclerotherapy-induced esophageal ulcer and stricture formations in pigs.
abstract: Human epidermal growth factor (EGF), a naturally occurring protein, has been implicated in the protection of gastrointestinal mucosal integrity. The efficacy of EGF in the prevention of sclerotherapy-induced esophageal lesions was investigated in 18 minipigs with surgically induced portal hypertension. The animals underwent five weekly sessions of sclerotherapy with polidocanol 2% and were concomitantly treated with either placebo or EGF administered either paravenously or subcutaneously. EGF significantly (P < 0.05) reduced esophageal ulcerations, stricture formations, and mucosal histological damage associated with sclerotherapy. The drug was well-tolerated with no overt toxicity. These results suggest a potentially important clinical value of EGF as an adjunctive treatment with the sclerotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Juhl
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steiniche
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moussa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014456:Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor