title: Preventive effects of recombinant human epidermal growth factor on the oesophageal epithelium in pigs subjected to sclerotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF), a small (relative molecular mass 6000) polypeptide with mitogenic properties in the protection of gastrointestinal mucosal integrity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomized and blinded study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four minipigs with surgically induced portal hypertension underwent four consecutive weekly sessions of oesophageal sclerotherapy with 5 ml 1% polidocanol and were concomitantly treated with either a placebo or human recombinant EGF administered subcutaneously. Mucosal damage was evaluated on a weekly basis by endoscopic estimation of the size of the ulcerated area and by post-mortem morphometry. The EGF-induced morphological changes in the oesophageal epithelium were also evaluated histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In sclerosed and non-sclerosed parts of the oesophagus EGF significantly increased the thickness of the oesophageal epithelium (P < 0.03), but failed to reduce significantly the degree of oesophageal damage associated with sclerotherapy (P = 0.11).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systemic EGF treatment induces proliferation of the oesophageal mucosa, and EGF may therefore have the potential to reduce sclerotherapy-induced oesophageal damage.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, University Hospital of Aarhus, Section Skejby, Denmark.
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Juhl
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vinter-Jensen
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: E Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Dajani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014456:Ulcer / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor