Effects of epidermal growth factor on reduction of the formation of thrombus and vessel wall healing in an experimental rat model.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to investigate the synergistic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Enoxaparin in thrombus resolution. METHOD: Forty rats were divided into five groups (n = 8/group). Thrombosis was induced in all groups except the Sham group. Group 1 Sham; Group 2 Phosphate buffered saline; Group 3 Enoxaparin; Group 4 EGF; Group 5 EGF+Enoxaparin. The treatments were applied 2 hours preoperatively, then postoperatively at 48 hours. Rats were sacrificed 7 days after the 2nd injection. Tissue samples were examined with hematoxylin-eosin, trichrome, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), von Villebrand factor (VWF), CD34 and CD68 for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Neovascularisation, recanalization and macrophage accumulation were statistically significantly higher in the EGF+Enoxaparin group than the other groups (p < 0.05), and the volume of thrombus was determined to be significantly lower. Recanalization was found to be higher in the Enoxaparin group than in the other groups. As for the thrombus resolution, statistically significant regress in the EGF+Enoxaparin group (p < 0.05) compared to the other groups was found. Immunohistochemical antibodies were statistically higher in the EGF+Enoxaparin group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that concomitant use of EGF and Enoxparin has a synergistic effect and contributes significantly to thrombus resolution (Fig. 10, Ref. 35).