title: Effect of heparin on tissue binding activity of fibroblast growth factor and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor in experimental colitis in rats.
abstract: There have been several reports implying a benefit for heparin therapy in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis. Although this effect has been attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of heparin, other mechanisms have not been excluded. Heparin is a potent modulator of receptor binding of growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor, and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), that play a role in wound repair. We examined the effect of heparin on the functional levels of FGF and HB-EGF in a model of experimental colitis. Fifty-six Wistar rats were divided into four groups: group 1 was the control group, group 2 received s.c. heparin 50 units/kg/d, group 3 underwent induction of 3% iodoacetamide colitis, and group 4 underwent induction of colitis and heparin treatment. Rats were killed and evaluated for severity of colitis by macroscopic and microscopic colitis scores, area of inflammation, and myeloperoxidase levels. FGF and HB-EGF levels were functionally assessed in colonic tissue in each group. Heparin therapy resulted in significant improvement in macroscopic and microscopic features of colitis (p < 0.05), accompanied by a partial reduction in myeloperoxidase levels. FGF receptor binding activity was identical in groups 1 and 2 but increased more than 3-fold after colitis induction in group 3 (p < 0.05). Treatment with heparin caused a significant decrease in FGF concentration. Levels of HB-EGF binding activity were similar in groups 1 and 2 and decreased in group 3 (p < 0.01). Heparin caused a significant increase in HB-EGF content in group 4 (p < 0.05). Levels of growth factors are altered differently in experimental colitis. Colonic FGF binding activity increases with colitis, whereas HB-EGF binding decreases with colitis. These trends were reversed by heparin, concomitant with a clinical and pathologic improvement in colitis. We suggest that one mechanism of heparin-mediated improvement in colitis may involve tissue healing associated with changes in functional levels of colonic growth factors.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Gastroenterology Service, Division of Gastroenterology, E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. a-levine@inter.net.il
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kenet
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruck
authors.forename: Yona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Avni
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Avinoach
authors.forename: Hussein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aeed
authors.forename: Zipporah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Matas
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Avner
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yayon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007460:Iodoacetamide / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: C587885:Hbegf protein, rat; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006493:Heparin; D009195:Peroxidase; D007460:Iodoacetamide