Epidermal growth factor improves nutritional outcome in a rat model of short bowel syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on nutrient absorption in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS).


METHODS
Male juvenile rats underwent either transection (Sham) or ileocecal resection leaving a 20-cm jejunal remnant. Animals underwent follow-up for 10 days, and resected animals were treated with placebo or recombinant human EGF (1-53). Animals were pair fed; in vivo nutrient absorption, intestinal permeability, morphology, and total intestinal DNA and protein content were measured.


RESULTS
Resected EGF-treated animals lost significantly less weight than those in the placebo group (-4.2 +/- 3 v -13.7 +/- 6.9%), absorbed significantly more 3-0 methylglucose (76.8 +/- 6.6 v 64.9 +/- 10.1%), and had reduced permeability (lactulose/mannitol ratio, 0.35 +/- 0.19 v 0.60 +/- 0.20; P <.05 for all comparisons).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show that treatment of short bowel syndrome animals with EGF reduced weight loss and improved carbohydrate absorption and intestinal permeability. These findings suggest that enteral EGF may be a useful therapy for short bowel syndrome; further studies are indicated.
Sham
J
J
Calgary, Alberta.
Martin
G
G
Meddings
J B
JB
Sigalet
D L
DL
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor