Abstract

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), present in saliva and gastric juice, is a potent mitogen and an important element of mucosal defence. Changes in salivary and gastric juice epidermal growth factor in response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) ingestion were measured to assess the role of EGF in gastric mucosal adaptation to NSAIDs. Patients with arthritis underwent endoscopy with collection of saliva and gastric juice for EGF measurement, before and two weeks after continuous NSAID ingestion. During this period patients also received either the prostaglandin analogue misoprostol or placebo in addition to their NSAID. In the misoprostol group (n = 5) there was no observed mucosal damage and no change in either salivary or gastric juice EGF. In the placebo group (n = 10) three patients developed erosions. Salivary EGF did not change (mean (SEM) 3.02 (0.54) ng/ml v 2.80 (0.41) ng/ml) but gastric juice EGF increased from 0.42 (0.12) ng/ml to 0.69 (0.14) ng/ml (p < 0.05). This increased EGF could contribute to the increased cellular proliferation observed during NSAID ingestion and may represent an important mechanism underlying gastric mucosal adaptation.