Subcutaneous administration of epidermal growth factor: a true treatment option in case of postoperative liver failure?

Adequate hepatocyte regeneration is mandatory for successful recovery after liver resection. The role of epidermal growth factor (EGF), by subcutaneous injection as a simple route, has not been clearly elucidated yet. Wistar rats underwent 70 or 90% hepatectomy, respectively, and were treated with EGF at day 2 and 3 or served as non-EGF-treated controls. Postoperatively, proliferative parameters (weight of liver remnants, number of mitotic and Ki-67 positive cells, expression of cyclin D1 protein) were evaluated. After 90% hepatectomy, 5 day survival was recorded following EGF treatment using different dosages. A significant increase of hepatocellular proliferation was observed after 70% hepatectomy. However, survival following 90% hepatectomy was not as positively affected, irrespective of EGF dosage, with most animals dead before EGF application was completed. Subcutaneous EGF injection can augment postoperative liver regeneration, however, it might be used only as a prophylactic and not as a therapeutic drug in case of liver insufficiency.