AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 253, Issue 5 622-G626, Copyright © 1987 by American Physiological Society
Effect of epidermal growth factor on growth and postnatal development of the rabbit liver
K. Opleta, E. V. O'Loughlin, E. A. Shaffer, J. Hayden, M. Hollenberg and D. G. Gall
Gastrointestinal, Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Univesity of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the postnatal development of
the liver was examined. New Zealand White rabbits received 40
micrograms.kg-1.day-1 EGF from days 3 to 17 of age either intraperitoneally
or orogastrically, whereas controls received saline. At days 18-20, animals
underwent cannulation of the common duct using halothane anesthetic.
Biliary output was measured directly for three 1-h periods: under basal
conditions and in response to intravenous infusion of exogenous
glycodeoxycholic acid at 0.75 and 1.5 mumol.min-1.kg-1, respectively. The
bile salt pool size was measured by isotope dilution. Final mean body
weight of intraperitoneal and orogastric groups did not differ from
controls. Liver we weight, DNA, and protein content were significantly
increased in intraperitoneally treated animals without morphological or
biochemical evidence of fat deposition. Both intraperitoneal and orogastric
EGF significantly increased bile salt secretion in the basal period and as
a response to exogenous bile acid infusion. Bile flow was significantly
increased in response to 1.5 mumol.min-1.kg-1 infusion of glycodeoxycholic
acid. The bile salt pool was increased by both intraperitoneal and
orogastric EGF. Administration of EGF resulted in a precocious development
of glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2) activity in the liver. EGF had no effect on
serum cortisol, corticosterone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, or free
thyroxine levels. These findings suggest that in the neonatal period EGF
can promote hepatic growth and maturation.
