Figure 1.

Effect of EGF on the amount of small intestinal injury induced by mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion. Rats received no treatment (control, n = 7), underwent a laparotomy only (sham operation, n = 10), or laparotomy with ischemia and reperfusion (I+R). These I+R-treated animals also received either EGF (2 mg/kg i.p. in saline; n = 14) or saline alone (n = 16), 25 minutes before arterial clamping. Data are presented as median (interquartile range). Parameters shown are macroscopic damage, microscopic score, and intestinal MPO (marker for inflammatory infiltrate) and MDA levels (free radical marker). **, P < 0.01 comparing animals receiving I+R alone against animals also given EGF.