Effects of epidermal growth factor on intestinal apoptosis index in rats with acute pancreatitis

Objective:To investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor(EGF) on intestinal apoptosis index(AI)in rats with acute pancreatitis.Methods:Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:Control group (n=24),AP group(n=24) and AP-EGF group (n=24).Rats in the AP-EGF group were given injections of EGF(0.1mg/kg)subcutaneously after induced AP.Other rats received the same volume of salines.At 6h,12h and 24h after induced AP,every 8 rats in each group were sacrificed respectively.2 ml of blood sample was taken from heart for the analysis of amylase activity in serum.Ascites was sucked with dry gauze and was weighed thereafter.Two cm of proximal jejunal segment,which was 10cm distal from the ligament of Treitz,was used to determine the AI of jejunum.Another 10 cm segment of jejunum was obtained and the mucosa were scraped for the measurement of MDA content. Results:Ascites volume in the AP+EGF group decreased significantly as compared with the APgroup on 12h and 24h(P0.01).Amylase activity in the AP+EGF group also decreased significantly as compared with the AP group on 12h and 24h(P0.05,P0.01).MDA content in plasm,jejunum and pancreas in the AP+EGF group decreased significantly as compared with the AP group on 24h.AI of pancreas in the AP+EGF group increased significantly as compared with the AP group after induced AP.Ai of jejunum in the AP+EGF group decreased significantly as compared with the AP group on 12h and 24h.Conclusion:EGF may accelerate the restoration of pathologic damage and alleviate the haemorrhage and edema of pancreas.It may also reduce ascites volume and amylase activity in serum.EGF may depress MDA content in plasm,pancreas and jejunal mucosa so that to lighten oxidative damage.EGF may protect pancreas through abduction of cellular apoptosis,and mitigate jejunum mucosal apoptosis induced by AP.