Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptors have been detected in developing rat brain (BR). In adult rat, intravenously administered 125I-EGF does not cross the blood BR barrier. We investigated the possibility of transfer of 125I-EGF into suckling rat (SUR) BR after gastrointestinal administration. 125I-EGF (80 ng) was first introduced orogastrically to SUR; 30 min later animals were killed. Blood (BL) and BR were analyzed for total (TR) and immunoreactive (IR) radioactivity. TR detected in brain was 0.09 ± 0.016% (mean ± SEM) of radioactivity fed (28.7 ± 12.1% of TR in BR was IR). A second experiment was performed in which 125I-EGF (16 ng) was introduced to isolated loops of jejunum (J) or ileum (I) of anesthetized SUR. After 60 min, animals were killed; the amount of TR in BR after introduction to I (0.49 ± 0.11% of total administered) was 7 times greater after I administration than that after introduction to J (0.07 ± 0.006%). IR 125I-EGF in BR after administration into J was 46.7 ± 3.4%, and into I was 32.6 ± 3.8%, respectively.
Conclusion: Results suggest that 125I-EGF introduced to the gastrointestinal tract is transferred in SUR to BR in IR form. Furthermore, regional difference in capacity to absorb EGF exists in SUR intestine.
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Rao, R., Grimes, J. & Koldovsky, O. TRANSFER OF GASTROINTESTINALLY ADMINISTERED 125I-EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR INTO SUCKLING RAT BRAIN. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 220 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00321
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00321