Epidermal growth factor and glucocorticoid effects on blood prostaglandin E2 level in DENA-induced carcinogenesis.

This paper describes results on carcinogenesis in rats induced with diethylnitrosamine (DENA; 280 mg/kg single dose, i.p.). After inducing chemical carcinogenesis, the animals were treated with different compounds that affect cell proliferation and the effects on the blood prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were observed. These compounds were epidermal growth factor (EGF, 10 micrograms/kg/24 h i.p., 7 days) and dexamethasone (4 mg/kg/24 h i.p., 7 days). The blood PGE2 levels of rats were measured by RIA (Radioimmunoassay). The blood PGE2 levels increased significantly following DENA and EGF administrations alone or together. Dexamethasone administration decreased the blood PGE2 levels. In conclusion the data show that the increase in the plasma PGE2 level by DENA treatment was enhanced by EGF but opposed by dexamethasone. This suggests that EGF may be effective as a promoter in chemical carcinogenesis.

Effects of epidermal growth factor dosage forms on mice full-thickness skin wound zinc levels and relation to wound strength.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and zinc promote re-epithelization and reparative tissue strength by enhancing deposition of collagen at the site of the wound. In this study two EGF dosage forms were chosen to assess the effect of zinc levels on wound healing and for comparison with wound tear strengths. A solution of EGF in 0.9% w/v NaCl and an EGF gel in 0.2% Carbopol 940 polymer (5 microL) were applied to full-thickness skin wounds of mice twice a day for 7 and 15 days. Wound zinc levels were higher on day 7 than on day 15, especially in wounds treated with EGF. The wound zinc levels of the gel + EGF group on day 15 were similar to those of normal control skin. These results imply that there is a close connection, but no direct relationship, between EGF application in both dosage forms and wound zinc levels during healing.

Serum sialic acid and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in alcohol-dependent individuals.

Alcohol abuse is a very common problem all over the world. Identification of alcoholism is crucial in preventing some adverse health effects, economical and social consequences of excessive alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to determine sialic acid (SA) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels in serum samples of alcoholics and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of SA with the conventional marker, GGT. The results have shown that serum SA (p<0.01) and GGT levels (p<0.001) were significantly increased in alcohol-dependent individuals as compared with healthy controls. No significant relationship was observed between SA and GGT levels in alcohol-dependent subjects and control group. Interestingly, a positive correlation was found between amount of alcohol consumption and serum SA level (r = 0.381, p<0.05). In order to evaluate the ability of SA and GGT determinations to discriminate between alcohol-dependent subjects and healthy controls, an analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed. Data suggest that GGT and SA levels in serum may be used as valuable biological markers for detecting and monitoring alcohol abuse. In view of the findings, introducing serum SA determination can be recommended as a part of diagnostic tests for identifying alcohol abuse.

Zinc and copper in congestive heart failure.

In this study serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels in children with congestive heart failure (CHF) were evaluated. The mean serum Zn levels of the patients with CHF were 92.9 +/- 18.9 micrograms/100 ml, and they showed a significant decrease when compared to controls (p less than 0.05). The mean serum Cu levels, which were 173.6 +/- 26.6 micrograms/100 ml, showed a significant increase when compared to controls (p less than 0.001). After digoxin therapy, a significant increase in Zn levels and a significant decrease in Cu levels were observed.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on serum zinc and plasma prostaglandin E2 levels of mice with pressure sores.

This work was undertaken to study the effects of systemic application of EGF on the plasma PGE2 and serum zinc levels of mice with pressure sores. The pressure sores were made on the hind limb of the mice by bilateral sciatic nerve neurotomy. Mice were injected IP, 1 microgram EGF daily for ten days, beginning on the 21st day after operation. EGF administration increased the serum zinc and plasma PGE2 levels compared with controls. These results indicate that EGF can be effective on wound healing by elevating the serum zinc and plasma PGE2 concentrations together with other physiological roles in cellular events.