Objective: To investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor(EGF) on mucosal structure after small bowel transplantation in rat.
Methods: Total small bowel transplantation was performed in inbred Wistar(RT1k) rats heterotopically, either total parenteral nutrition(control group, n=10) or TPN supplemented with epidermal growth factor(EGF group, n=10) was given to the recipients from the second day to 10th day after operation. The changes of morphology, ultrastructure, mucosal protein and DNA contents were determined.
Results: The height of mucosal villus,the depth of crypt, the thickness of mucosa and the surface area of villus were (284.47+/-31.58)microm, (98.78+/-10.83 microm, (389.56+/-31.72)microm and (0.089+/-0.009 )mm(2) respectively in EGF group,and (176.45+/-14.62)microm, (74.45+/-8.34)microm, (259.38+/-24.65) microm, and (0.041+/-0.005)mm2 respectively in the control group. The morphological parameters were significantly higher in EGF group than those in the control group. Mucosal protein content was (84.65+/-8.32)mg/g wet wt in EGF group,significantly higher than (53.73+/- 11.45) mg/g wet wt in the control group(P=0.012). DNA content was also significantly higher in EGF group than that in the control group. [(0.86+/0.10)mg/g wet wt vs (0.51+/-0.06)mg/g wet wt, P=0.008]. Nearly normal ultrastructure of the graft enterocyte was maintained in EGF group, while atrophic microvilli and broken mitochondrial crista were observed in the control group.
Conclusion: EGF can preserve the mucosal structure of the graft, maintain the integrity of the ultrastructure of graft enterocyte after small bowel transplantation in rat.