Purpose: We investigated the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) microemulsion (ME) formulation on stress ulcer healing and the levels of gastric mucosal malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH).
Methods: Forty-eight female Wistar rats were divided into five groups according to the treatments given. Ten rats were given intragastric (i.g.) serum physiologic (SP) for 7 days; ten rats were given i.g. ME for 7 days; ten rats were given i.g. EGF in SP 6 microg/kg per day for 7 days; ten rats were given i.g. ME + EGF (Sigma E-7755) 6 microg/kg per day for 7 days; and eight rats were exposed to cold and immobilization stress or no stress (NS), and not given any treatment, as controls. The mean ulcerated area, and the MDA and GSH levels of the gastric mucosa were measured.
Results: The mean ulcerated area of the ME+EGF treatment group was significantly less than that of the ME- and EGF-treated groups and the control groups. The gastric MDA levels were also found to be significantly lower in the ME+EGF treated group than in the ME-treated group or the control groups. However, there were no significant changes in the gastric GSH levels among all the groups. The gastric MDA levels were positively correlated with the ulcerated area.
Conclusion: The ME formulation of EGF at the dose given in this study was more effective than EGF alone on the healing of stress ulceration of the gastric mucosa.