Epidermal growth factor increases tissue antioxidant enzyme activities in ethanol-induced gastric injury in rat

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the antioxidant mechanisms are involved in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated protection from ethanol-induced gastric damage. Twenty four female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into 3 groups; control (C) group (n=8) was given physiologic saline by gavage; ethanol (E) group (n=8) was given 1 ml of 80% ethanol (v/v) in distilled water by gavage and EGF group (n=8) was given EGF (100 mg/kg-body wt.) intraperitonealy half an hour before the administration of ethanol. The protein carbonyl content was significantly higher in the E group than the C group (p<0.01). On the other hand, EGF decreased the protein carbonyl content in the EGF group (p<0.01). Gastric myeloperoxidase activity increased significantly after the administration of ethanol (p<0.01). The administration of EGF decreased significantly the myeloperoxidase activity (p<0.01). Although ethanol caused a slight decrease in the catalase activity, no statistical significance was observed between groups E and C. The catalase activity increased significantly after EGF treatment (p<0.01). The superoxide dismutase activity decreased significantly in the E group when compared to the C group (p<0.05) while it was found to be increased significantly in the EGF group in comparison with the E group (p<0.01). In summary, the present results indicate that the gastroprotective effect of EGF in the experimental lesions induced by ethanol could be attributed to its property such as to augment the antioxidant enzyme activities.