HB-EGF Improves Intestinal Microcirculation after Hemorrhagic Shock

Background. The goal of this study was to determine the role of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) as a mediator of gut microcirculation after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R) in mice. Materials and Methods. HS/R was induced in HB-EGF knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice. Ink-gelatin injection and vascular corrosion casting were performed to visualize the gut microvasculature. The degree of gut microcirculatory injury was graded using five patterns of injury (1-5) according to the severity of microvascular hypoperfusion. Statistical analyses were performed using linear mixed models with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results. HB-EGF KO mice subjected to HS/R had significantly decreased perfusion of the gut microvasculature compared with WT mice subjected to HS/ R (P = 0.0001). HB-EGF KO mice subjected to HS/R and treated with exogenous HB-EGF had significantly increased gut microvascular perfusion compared with non-HB-EGF treated KO mice (P = 0.01). Lastly, WT mice subjected to HS/ R and treated with HB-EGF had significantly increased gut microvascular perfusion compared with non-HB-EGF-treated WT mice (P = 0.04). Conclusions. HB-EGF improves gut microcirculation after HS/ R. These findings support the clinical use of HB-EGF in protection of the intestines from disease states associated with intestinal hypoperfusion injury. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.