Hemostatic action of EGF-endospray on mucosectomy-induced ulcer bleeding animal models

Gastric bleeding is one of the irritant problems in ulcer patients. In this study, we evaluated hemostatic action of ulcer-coating powder (EGF-endospray) on gastric ulcer animal models. EGF-endospray, containing epidermal growth factor, is designed to be applied through an endoscope. Hemostatic action of the EGF-endospray was evaluated on gastric hemorrhage models of rabbits and micro-pigs. The EGF-endospray was directly applied onto a mucosal resection (MR)-induced gastric bleeding focus in a rabbit model. In a porcine model, the EGF-endospray was applied once via an endoscopy to a bleeding lesion created by endoscopic submucosal dissection. The bleeding focus was then observed via an endoscope. In the rabbit model, EGF-endospray treatment significantly shortened mean bleeding time in comparison with other treatments (104.3 vs 548.0 vs 393.2 s for the EGF-endospray, the non-treated control and the epinephrine injection, respectively). In the micro-pig model, EGF-endospray showed immediate hemostatic action and prolonged covering of the bleeding focus for over 72 h. Histology proved mucosal thickness was more efficiently recovered in all EGF-endospray treated animals. The results of the present study suggest that the EGF-endospray is a promising hemostatic agent for GI bleeding.