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. 1999 Jan;44(1):26–32. doi: 10.1136/gut.44.1.26

The effect of epidermal growth factor on brush border surface area and function in the distal remnant following resection in the rabbit

J Hardin 1, B Chung 1, E O'Loughlin 1, D Gall 1
PMCID: PMC1760064  PMID: 9862822

Abstract

Background—Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to increase intestinal absorptive surface area and transport function in normal animals. 
Aims—To examine the effect of EGF on absorptive surface area and brush border membrane function in a model of massive small bowel resection. 
Methods—New Zealand white rabbits were randomised into two groups: a resected group (60% proximal small bowel resection); and an unmanipulated control group. Distal remnant tissue was examined 10 and 21 days postsurgery. In separate experiments oral EGF (40 µg/kg/day) was administered to resected animals from days 3 to 8 and animals were studied on day 10. 
Results—Ten days postsurgery brush border surface area and total absorptive surface area were significantly increased in remnant tissue while brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) glucose uptake was significantly decreased compared with controls. By 21 days brush border surface area returned to control levels though BBMV glucose uptake remained depressed. EGF treatment induced a further increase in brush border surface area in remnant intestine but did not alter BBMV glucose uptake. 
Conclusions—Surgical resection results in significant elevations in absorptive surface area coupled with a decrease in brush border membrane transport function distal to the site of anastomosis. EGF enhances glucose uptake in remnant intestine via recruitment of additional microvillus membrane into the brush border. 



Keywords: short gut; resection; surface area; brush border membrane

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Figure 1 .

Figure 1

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Representative photomicrographs from the mid-villus region in (A) control, (B) resected, and (C) resected + EGF tissue. Tissue appeared ultrastructurally normal. Bar = 1 µm. 


Figure 2 .

Figure 2

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Mid-villus brush border surface area measurements in tissue from 10 day control (n=26 photomicrographs obtained from three animals), 10 day resected (n=29 photomicrographs from three animals), resected + EGF (n=41 photomicrographs from three animals), 21 day control (n=40 photomicrographs from three animals), and 21 day resected (n=30 photomicrographs from three animals) animals. *p<0.001 compared with control; †p<0.05 compared with 10 day resected group. Data represent mean (SE). 


Figure 3 .

Figure 3

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Total absorptive surface area in the distal ileum in 10 (n=11) and 21 (n=5) day control and resected animals (n=6) and resected + EGF animals (n=6) as assessed by equilibration of the fluorescent membrane probe TMA-DPH. *p<0.05 compared with control; **p<0.01 compared with control; †p<0.05 compared with 10 day resection. Data represent mean (SE). 


Selected References

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