[The effects of interleukin-11 and epidermal growth factor on residual small intestine after experimental extensive small bowel resection].
OBJECTIVE
Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a multifunctional cytokine derived from bone marrow, which has a trophic effect on small bowel epithelium. This study compares the effects of IL-11 with epidermal growth factor (EGF), a growth factor known to enhance small bowel adaptation.


METHODS
Forty Sprague-Dawley rats (90-100 g) underwent an 85% mid-small bowel resection with primary anastomosis on day 0. Rats were divided into four treatment groups: controls (group I) received bovine serum albumin (BSA), group II received IL-11, 125 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) twice daily, group III received EGF, 0.10 mg/g SC bid, and group IV received EGF and IL-11 in the above doses. Half of the animals (five per group) were killed on day 4 of therapy, and the rest on day 8. Animals were evaluated for weight, mucosal length, and bowel wall muscle thickness on days 4 and 8, and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in intestinal crypt and smooth muscle cells on day 8.


RESULTS
Body weight was similar at day 4 and 8. Mucosal thickness in groups II (IL-11) and IV (IL-11 and EGF) was significantly increased at days 4 and 8 compared with controls (group I) and EGF (group III, P < 0.001). Muscle thickness was significantly increased in the EGF and combined group IV compared with the BSA controls and IL-11 groups (P < 0.001). Thirty-two percent of the mucosal crypt cells in group I stained positive for PCNA, whereas 51%, 53%, and 60% stained positive in groups II (IL-11), III (EGF), and IV (IL-11 and EGF), respectively. In groups I and II, 2% and 1.7% of the myocytes stained positive for PCNA, whereas 11.2% and 5.2% in group III and IV.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that IL-11 has a trophic effect on small intestinal enterocytes, causing cell proliferation and increased mucosal thickness. EGF has a more generalized effect causing proliferation of both enterocytes and myocytes. IL-11, with or without EGF may be a useful adjunct in treatment of short bowel syndrome.
György
Ledniczky
L
Semmelweis Egyetem, AOK, II. sz. Sebészeti Klinika, Budapest. lednic@kut.sote.hu
Gábor
Bognár
B
Fiore
Nicholas
N
Grosfeld
Jay L
JL
Pál
Ondrejka
O
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D017370:Interleukin-11; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor