HB-EGF or PBS was administered intraperitoneally to mice daily for 3 days, followed by total body irradiation (TBI). Three days after TBI, intestinal segments were harvested, and BrdU immunohistochemistry was performed to identify proliferating crypts (n = 25). Four days after TBI, intestinal segments were harvested and assessed for histologic injury (n = 34), and FITC-dextran was administered via gavage with serum FITC-dextran levels quantified to determine gut barrier function (n = 18).
Compared to non-HB-EGF-treated irradiated mice, administration of HB-EGF to irradiated mice led to a significantly increased percentage of proliferative crypts (72.6 % vs. 50.5 % , p = 0.001), a significantly decreased percent of histologic sections with severe histologic injury (13.7 % vs. 20.3 % , p = 0.005), and significantly reduced intestinal permeability (18.8 ¦Ìg/mL vs. 22.6 ¦Ìg/mL, p = 0.02).
These results suggest that administration of HB-EGF protects the intestines from injury after exposure to radiation therapy. Administration of HB-EGF may represent a novel therapy for the prevention of radiation enteritis in the future.