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Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to stimulate connective tissue repair in the perforated mesentery of rats. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of EGF on the formation of healing tissue and angiogenesis in such repair. After laparotomy standardised perforations were made in the centre of the mesenteric “windows” with a scalpel. The rats were given intraperitoneal injections of either 10°g EGF dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or PBS alone, twice daily for four consecutive days beginning on the day of operation. In the first experiment, healing tissue formation and angiogenesis was quantified morphometrically in perpendicularly cut mesenteric windows on days 1 to 10 after operation. Treatment with EGF caused the formation of significantly more healing tissue on days 2 to 7, but no stimulation of angiogenesis. In the second experiment, angiogenesis was quantified morphometrically on days 14 and 21. Mesenteric windows were spread out on objective slides after the capillary bed had been visualised by perfusion of carbon ink. Perforation caused a significant increase of microvascular density in the centre of the mesenteric windows on days 14 and 21. Treatment with EGF did not stimulate angiogenesis at any observation point. In conclusion, treatment with EGF significantly increased the formation of healing tissue in connective tissue repair in the perforated mesentery of rats, but did not affect angiogenesis.