Effect of orally-administered epidermal growth factor on intestinal iron absorption and mucosal permeability

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Abstract
A progressive increase in intestinal 59Fe3+ absorption was observed on oral feeding of mice with physiological doses of EGF/UGO. Maximal changes were apparent after 3 d and appeared to be dose-dependent. In addition to a small increase in intestinal cell proliferation, as reflected by increased ornithine decarboxylase activity, EGF/UGO-feeding increased mucosal permeability (evaluated with [51Cr]-EDTA): the latter could account for the increase in iron absorption. Sialodenectomy, to remove the major source of endogenous EGF/UGO, had no appreciable effect on the intestinal absorption of iron.