Epidermal growth factor stimulates the recovery of glucose absorption after small bowel transplantation

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been reported to enhance adaptation in damaged intestines following massive intestinal resection. Studies were performed to determine whether EGF influences the recovery of intestinal function after small bowel transplantation in rats. Recipient Lewis rats underwent resection of the distal 80% of the small bowel, which was replaced with a 20-cm isograft. EGF (30 microg/kg/day) or its vehicle (control) was infused intraperitoneally for 3 days after transplantation. After 7 days, the graft was isolated for morphologic studies and was used for analysis of glucose and water absorption and the expression of sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT1). These were used as indicators of functional adaptation. The EGF-treated group exhibited significantly increased mucosal villous height, crypt cell proliferation, glucose and water absorption, and expression of SGLT1 protein compared to the control group. No significant differences were found in body weight change or crypt depth between the two groups. These results demonstrate that EGF augments structural and functional adaptation of intestinal grafts in rats. EGF may be useful after intestinal transplantation in patients with short bowel syndrome.