Epidermal growth factor protects mouse ileal mucosa from Triton X-100-induced injury

Luminal exposure of mouse ileal mucosal sheets in vitro to 0.3% Triton X-100 for 10 min resulted in a 45.3 +/- 4.4% decrease in tissue resistance (Rt). Luminal pretreatment of tissue with epidermal growth factor (EGF, 30 nM) reduced the Triton X-100-induced decrease in Rt to 10.2 +/- 3.5%. This effect of luminal EGF was concentration-related with an A50 value of 7.4 nM. EGF applied to the basal buffer also produced a similar protective effect, but it was 5.3-fold less potent than luminal EGF. Morphological analysis indicated the formation of denudations at villi tips by Triton X-100 which was prevented by EGF pretreatment. These results suggest that EGF may play a role in the protection of ileal mucosal integrity.