Role of epidermal growth factor in protection and repair of gastric mucosal injury.

A role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in protection and repair of gastric mucosal injury caused by p.o. administration of 0.6 N HCl was investigated in male Wistar rats. Previous to the study on the role of EGF in gastric mucosal protection and repair, changes of gastric mucosal EGF level was determined sequentially by RIA for 180 min after treatment with 0.6 N HCl and intraperitoneal injection of recombinant hEGF. Concentration of incorporated hEGF into the gastric mucosa reached the peak level at 30 min after injection of hEGF. On the other hand, the gastric endogenous EGF level fell remarkably immediately after treatment with 0.6 N HCl. Successively, an association with the mucosal levels of incorporated hEGF and gastric ulcer indices was investigated in the rats in which hEGF was injected intraperitoneally 30 min prior to or at the same time as oral administration of 0.6 N HCl. In conclusion, pretreatment with hEGF protected significantly against gastric mucosal injury with 0.6 N HCl, whereas simultaneous administration of hEGF could not protect against mucosal injury but indicated possible stimulation of the repair process from acute gastric mucosal damage.