Trophic action of epidermal growth factor on the pancreas and gastroduodenal mucosa in rats.

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Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) infused s.c. in a dose of 10 .mu.g/kg.cntdot.h but not 1 .mu.g/kg.cntdot.h inhibited spontaneous gastric acid and pepsin secretion, whereas when given intragastrically in a dose of 10 .mu.g/kg.cntdot.h it failed to affect this secretion. EGF injected i.p. at 8 h intervals for 24 h significantly stimulated DNA synthesis in the gastroduodenal mucosa and the pancreas, whereas when administered intragastrically it stimulated DNA synthesis only in the gastroduodenal mucosa but not in the pancreas. Chronic parenteral administration of EGF significantly increased the DNA and RNA contents of the gastroduodenal mucosa and the pancreas. Parenteral EGF is a potent inhibitor of gastric secretion and trophic agent for the gastroduodenal mucosa and pancreas. The gastric inhibitory and trophic effects of EGF are the results of 2 separate mechanisms.