Efficacy evaluation of EGF-containing chitosan hydrogel for gastric ulcer in rabbit : A Preliminary Study

초록

Background: To treat of gastric ulcer and bleeding, we have developed EGF (Epithelial growth factor)-containing chitosan hydrogel that can be applied with gastric endoscope. Aims: In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the novel EGF-containing chitosan hydrogel using in vivo models. Methods: Gastric ulcer was induced by acetic acid or mucosal resection in rabbit. EGF-containing chitosan hydrogel (1ug EGF/g) was treated on ulcerated stomach, immediately. We determined the ulcer size via macroscopic images and the thickness of ulcerated mucosa via microscopic images using Hematoxylin & Eosin staining. Moreover, we confirmed the effect of EGF-containing chitosan hydrogel for ulcer healing by using Periodic acid Schiff staining. Reconstitution of gastric epithelial cell monolayer was assessed using in vitro wound restitution model. Results: In the acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer (AAIU) rabbit model, the relative ulcer size of gel-treated group showed a more than 2.6-fold decrease compare to non-treated group on day 3 after ulceration (P<0.05). In mucosal resection-induced gastric ulcer (MRIU) rabbit model, the relative ulcer size of gel-treated group showed significant difference compare to non-treated group about 5.5-fold on day 1 after ulceration (P<0.001). The in vitro restitution study and in the histological analysis revealed that the ability of EGF-containing chitosan hydrogel for ulcer healing. Conclusions: The present study suggests that the EGF-containing chitosan hydrogel is a promising candidate for treating gastric bleeding and ulcer.