Research Article
Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on Colonic Anastomoses: An Experimental Study
Güneş ME1*, Çakar E2, Bayrak S2, Deniz MM3 and Çağlıkülekçi M4
1Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Esenyurt University, Turkey
2Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Research and Training Hospital, Turkey
3Department of General Surgery, Bayrampasa State Hospital, Turkey
4Department of General Surgery, Yeniyuzyıl University, Turkey
*Corresponding author: Mehmet Emin Güneş, Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Esenyurt University, Turkey
Published: 19 Sep, 2016
Cite this article as: Güneş ME, Çakar E, Bayrak S,
Deniz MM, Çağlıkülekçi M. Effects of
Epidermal Growth Factor on Colonic
Anastomoses: An Experimental Study.
Clin Surg. 2016; 1: 1128.
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the effect of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) on reducing anastomotic leak and wound-related complications in rats following colonic anastomosis.
Methods: Wistar-albino male rats of 14-16 weeks and weighing 200-250 grams. First, the rats were
equally randomized into a control and an experimental group. Then, in each of these two groups
three subgroups were formed, each consisting of five rats that were sacrificed on the postoperative
3rd, 7th and 21st days. Using an insulin injector, a 10 microgram/kg dose of EGF was administered
to the rats in the experimental group, first submucosally on the anastomosis region during the
operation, then intraperitoneal at the postoperative 12th, 24th and 48th hours.
Results: Biomechanical, histopathological and clinical examinations were conducted to evaluate
the wound healing in the subjects. The bursting pressure and tensile strength of anastomosis
were measured in both the control and EGF-administered groups and a comparative analysis
was performed. The results of both parameters were found to be significantly higher in the EGFadministered
groups than in the control group.
On the postoperative 3rd day, an anastomosis leak was observed in one rat from the control
group and the bursting pressure was measured as 0 mmHg. In the EGF-administered groups; the
histopathological examination of the wound on the postoperative 3rd day showed higher values
of serum fibrin, fibrocytes and fibroblast. On the postoperative 7th day; the granulation tissue was
further developed and the granulation distance increased and on the 21st day; the strength of the
granulation tissue was higher.
Conclusion: We conclude that administering EGF to subjects following colonic anastomosis has
positive effects on wound healing.
Keywords: Colon; Anastomosis; Epidermal growth factor; Leakage; Bursting pressure; Tensile strength
Introduction
A wound is the disruption of anatomical and functional continuity of living tissue. Even though
the basic characteristics of wound healing are similar in all tissues, there are certain differences in
the gastrointestinal system. For example, the recovery of tensile strength is slower in dermal wounds
than in colon wounds [1]. In the latter in addition to fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells also produce
collagen [2], and the collagen synthesis in fibroblasts from colon and skin has different mechanisms
[3]. In the gastrointestinal tract, there are also different factors; such as the presence of a wide range
of microorganisms, the effect of serosa on suture closure [4].
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was first reported by Stanley Cohen as a factor that promotes
wound healing [5]. EGF is effective in stimulating the migration and division of epithelial cells and
increasing the synthesis of proteins (such as fibronectin) that lead to cell adhesion and migration.
In addition EGF increases the production of other growth factors and improves their effect on the
cells [6].
Fogue-Lafitte et al. [7] reported that there are EGF receptors in the epithelial cells on the basolateral
surface of intestinal villi. In vivo studies have also shown that the intravenous administration of an
increased dose of exogenous EGF results in mucosal growth in the
small intestine and colon [8].
The exogenous administration of EGF has been considered
to promote early and stronger wound healing. Due to the higher
number of pathogenic microorganisms and increased collagenous
enzyme activity, the risk of an anastomotic leak in the colon is higher
than in the small intestine. It is predicted that the positive effects of
EGF on wound healing can reduce anastomotic complications and
result in faster and more reliable healing of anastomosis.
This study investigated the effect of EGF on wound healing in the
colon through histopathological, physical and clinical assessments.
Table 1
Table 2
Material and Method
The subjects of this study were 30 Wistar-albino male rats of
14-16 weeks and weighing 200- 250 grams. During the course of the
experiment, the guidelines in the Declaration of Helsinki with regard
to the care and use of laboratory animals were strictly followed. The
subjects were first divided into a control and an experimental (EGFadministered)
group, each consisting of 15 subjects. Then, three equal
subgroups were formed within both groups according to the day of
sacrifice; 3rd, 7th, and 21st days following resection and anastomosis.
After overnight fasting, general anesthesia was performed on all
the rats with the subcutaneous administration of 5mg/kg Xylazine
HCL and intramuscular administration of 50 mg/kg Ketamine
HCL. The abdominal area of each rat was shaved and disinfected
with povidon iodine and then a median laparotomy was performed.
A 0.5 cm segment of colon within 5 cm of the ileocecal valve was
resected and then end-to-end anastomosis with single layer inverted
5/0 Vicryl sutures was performed. The abdominal wall was closed in a
single layer using 2/0 stitches using the en block technique.
Prior to the dilution of EGF; the physiological saline was kept
in the freezer at -18°C and then the diluted EGF was stored at
+4°C. Using an insulin injector, a 10 microgram/kg dose of EGF
containing the saline solution was administered to the subjects in the
experimental groups; first submucosally on the anastomosis region
during the operation, then intraperitoneal at the postoperative 12th,
24th and 48th hours (EGF, Sigma Immuno Chemicals Company, USA).
The same surgeon and pathologist performed all the operations
and histopathological assessments, respectively.
For the evaluation of the bursting pressure, the distal end of the
anastomosis was closed using 3-0 silk sutures. A 3 mm diameter
polyethylene catheter was placed in each subject at the proximal
end of the anastomoses using 3-0 silk sutures and a Riester aneroid
manometer was used to measure the pressure. The colon segments
were placed in a transparent container filled with saline and the
pressure was gradually increased. Anastomoses were observed and
the air bubbles appearing on or near the anastomotic line were
recorded as the bursting pressure.
To evaluate the tensile strength, a total of 5 cm segment of the
colon on the anastomotic region with 2.5 cm proximal and distal
margins of the wound was used. A fixed clamp was placed 2.5 cm
above the anastomosis, the distal end was ligated using 2-0 silk
sutures, and the area was clamped. Then, the urinary catheters were
filled with physiological saline at the rate of 60 cc/min from a height of
50 cm, and the tensile strength was recorded when a rupture occurred
on the anastomotic line.
For the histopathological examination, all tissues were paraffin
embedded and 0.5-micron sections were stained with Hematoxylin–
Eosin (H-E) dye. The sections were analyzed under light microscopy
and the images were transferred to a computer. Analyses were
conducted by a single pathologist who did not have any knowledge
of the groups. The wound healing along the colon anastomotic
line was evaluated under light microscopy on the 3rd, 7th and 21st
days. The parameters of the presence of fibrin, neovascularization,
inflammatory infiltration, fibroblast activity and collagen formation
were evaluated using van Gieson staining. The fibroblast activity
was assessed based on the presence and density of young fibroblasts
within the granulation tissue. The collagen presence was determined
according to the density based on (+++).
The anastomosis bursting pressure and tensile strength were
evaluated using the Mann-Whitney- U test and Kruskal-Wallis test.
Results
In this study; all 30 rats were evaluated. The three subgroups of
rats in each of the control and experimental groups were weighed,
sacrificed and necropsied on the 3rd, 7th and 21st days following
surgery.
An anastomotic leak was observed in one subject in the control
group at the end of the 3rd day. Anastomotic colon segments with
leakage were separated and the bursting pressure was 0 mmHg.
In all the groups (3rd, 7th and 21st. days) the anastomotic bursting
pressure and tensile strength were analyzed using the Mann-
Whitney-U test and the EGF-administered groups were found to
have significantly higher values when compared with the control
groups (Table 1).
Histopathological examination
Day 3: Fibrin, neovascularization and inflammatory infiltration
along the anastomotic line were evaluated in both the control and
EGF groups. The fibroblast activity in the EGF-administered group
was found to be more prominent (Figure 1).
Day 7:Partially organized granulation tissue developed on the
colon anastomotic line. A small amount of neovascularization and
inflammatory infiltration was observed. The fibroblast activity was
found to be (++) in the control group and (+++) in the EGF group
(Figure 2).
Day 21: The granulation tissue on the colon anastomotic line
was organized but the fiber development was not substantial. In
the EGF-administered group, collagen, elastic and reticular fibers
were observed as well as the granulation tissue that was gradually
reduced. Proliferous fibrocytes and fibroblasts, histiocytes, new vessel
formations, low-density polymorphs and high-density lymphocytes
and the presence of plasmocytes were noticeable (Figure 3).
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Discussion
Anastomotic leaks have significant negative effects on patient
mortality and morbidity, oncological results and healthcare
expenses. Despite the recent medical improvements, the incidence
of anastomotic leak still ranges from 2.5 to 37%. Therefore, the
development of new techniques and materials for an optimum
anastomotic recovery continues to be an appealing area of surgical
research [9-10].
Physiological anastomotic healing proceeds via an overlapping
pattern of events that can generally be divided into three classic
stages of wound repair: an exudative phase, a proliferative phase and
a reparative phase [11]. Peptide growth factors have been reported to
have a significant role in many stages of this process. In the literature,
various studies have been conducted and different pharmacodynamics
methods have been used to demonstrate the positive effect of peptide
growth factors on the recovery of intestinal anastomosis which is a
complex biological process [10,12-17].
The EGF family is probably the most commonly used factor in
wound healing with EGF being one of the most researched factors.
EGF is secreted by platelets, macrophages and fibroblasts and acts in
a paracrine fashion on keratinocytes [18]. The mitotic effect of EGF
has been reported to increase cell division and neovascularization,
epithelial cell migration, experimental wound healing in the
gastrointestinal system and the tensile strength of incisions [6].
Johnson et al. [19] conducted a study on rats to determine the
breaking strength at different times following bowel anastomoses
and concluded that sutures significantly contribute to healing. The
authors reported that the strength of a new anastomosis was 2/3 of
that of a non-operated gut wall and within three postoperative days,
the anastomotic strength was reduced to the 15% of the immediate
postoperative value. The authors concluded that this showed a rapid
decrease in the suture holding capacity in the early postoperative
period. The rapid increase after the 4th day and the strength of
anastomosis being higher on the 7th day than the immediate
postoperative value were attributed not only to the synthesis and
deposition of collagen but also to the gut wall regaining the capacity
to withstand breaking forces.
Kingsnorth et al. [20] investigated the effect of EGF on the recovery
of gastrointestinal anastomoses. They measured the tensile strength
of stomach, ileum and colon on the postoperative five day and found
that the intraperitoneal administration of EGF increased the wound
strength in all incision types. Ekiz et al. [6] also explored the effects
of EGF on intestinal anastomosis, fascia and skin wound healing.
They experimentally created gastrojejunostomy anastomosis in rats,
intraperitoneal administered EGF at 8th, 16th, 24th and 36th hours,
sacrificing the subjects on the postoperative 3rd, 7th and 21st days. The
authors found that the anastomotic tensile strength was significantly
higher only in the EGF group on the 3rd postoperative day when
compared to the tensile strength of the control group. In the present
study, we subserosally injected the EGF into the perianastomotic area
during the operation and performed intraperitoneal injections at
postoperative 12th, 24th and 48th hours. We found the tensile strength
of colon anastomosis to be significantly higher on the postoperative
3rd, 7th and 21st days when compared to the control group.
Hermann et al. [21] evaluated the anastomotic area in terms of
bursting pressure and reported that the anastomotic strength against
the lumen pressure was slightly noticeable on the 3rd postoperative day
and exhibited no significant change on the 4th and 5th postoperative
days. The bursting pressure from the 7th day onwards was found to
be equal to the intestinal strength and the maximum strength was
observed between the 8th and 10th days. The bursting pressure is
important for anastomosis since it is a parameter that demonstrates
the resistance of the intestinal wall to the increase in the intraluminal
pressure. The effects of a number of chemical, physical, and nutritional
elements have been investigated on the normal or inhibited wound
healing process of colonic anastomosis including arginine, short
chain amino acids, vitamin A, zinc, He: Ne laser, erythropoietin and
hyperbaric oxygen [14]. The increase of bursting pressure values of
the controls were 32% with short chain fatty acids [22], 24% with
arginine [23], 37% with erythropoietin [24]. A study by Sakallioglu
et al. [14] concerning local EGF administration indicated a 22%
higher of bursting pressure than the controls in non steroid inhibited
wound healing. In the present study, we found the bursting pressure
in the EGF group to be significantly higher than in the control group;
100% higher on the 3rd day, 45% higher on the 7th day and 25% higher
on the 21st day.
Wound healing in the gastrointestinal system depends on a thin
balance between collagen synthesis and collagenolysis. This balance
is even more significant between the 3rd and 5th postoperative days.
The most effective layer on the colon tensile strength is submucosa.
Collagen synthesis in the submucosa provides a mechanical structure
for the wound [25]. Fibroblasts begin the collagen synthesis 24 hours
after injury. Since there is also collagen breakdown, a significant
deposition does not occur before the 3rd or 4th day. This corresponds to
the first and real breaking strength of the wound [26]. In the present
study, the histopathological examination showed that the serum,
fibrin, fibroblast and polymorph levels in the anastomotic area were
higher in the EGF group on the 3rd day and the results obtained from
the 7th day indicated that the intensity of the inflammatory tissue
gradually increased. On the 21st day, an increase was observed in the
number of collagen, elastic and reticular fibres.
There are various factors that may have an effect on anastomotic
wound healing; such as old age, accompanying diseases, medication,
emergency interventions, infection, hypotension, long surgery time,
inexperience of the surgeon, patient’s diet, the vascularity of the
anastomotic line, tensile strength and the anastomotic technique.
However, only the last three are under the control of the surgeon [27].
In their study on growth factors and gastrointestinal anastomotic
healing, Rijcken et al. [10] suggested that despite still being far from
clinical routine in gastrointestinal surgery, growth factors can be used
in selected patients who face the risk of impaired anastomotic healing.
Conclusion
We conclude that supplementing sutured anastomoses with EGF can be very beneficial in colon anastomoses cases both for the patients at risk of inadequate wound healing and for surgeons to feel more confident about the procedure particularly when anastomosis is technically difficult to perform. However, further investigation should be undertaken with a larger number of subjects and longerterm observation to extend and improve the clinical applicability of the use of the EGF factor.
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