Recombinant human epidermal growth factor accelerates recovery of mouse small intestinal mucosa after radiation damage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether systemically administered recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) accelerates the recovery of mouse small intestinal mucosa after irradiation.


METHODS
A mouse mucosal damage model was established by administering radiation to male BALB/c mice with a single dose of 15 Gy applied to the abdomen. After irradiation, rhEGF was administered subcutaneously at various doses (0.04, 0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/kg/day) eight times at 2- to 3-day intervals. The evaluation methods included histologic changes of small intestinal mucosa, change in body weight, frequency of diarrhea, and survival rate.


RESULTS
The recovery of small intestinal mucosa after irradiation was significantly improved in the mice treated with a high dose of rhEGF. In the mice that underwent irradiation without rhEGF treatment, intestinal mucosal ulceration, mucosal layer damage, and severe inflammation occurred. The regeneration of villi was noticeable in mice treated with more than 0.2 mg/kg rhEGF, and the villi recovered fully in mice given more than 1 mg/kg rhEGF. The frequency of diarrhea persisting for more than 3 days was significantly greater in the radiation control group than in the rhEGF-treated groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic administration of rhEGF accelerates recovery from mucosal damage induced by irradiation. We suggest that rhEGF treatment shows promise for the reduction of small intestinal damage after irradiation.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Wonkwang School of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
Kang Kyoo
KK
Lee
Hyang Jeong
HJ
Jo
Joon Pio
JP
Hong
Sang-Wook
SW
Lee
Jung Sook
JS
Sohn
Soo Young
SY
Moon
Sei Hoon
SH
Yang
Hyeok
H
Shim
Sang Ho
SH
Lee
Seung-Hee
SH
Ryu
Sun Rock
SR
Moon
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor