Epidermal growth factor in plasma, serum and urine before and after prolonged exercise.

The substance concentration of epidermal growth factor immunoreactivity (EGF IR) and certain other components were studied in plasma, serum and urine from 25 individuals before and after a 2 h cross-country run. The substance concentration of plasma EGF IR increased from a median of 0.10 nM (range 0.04-0.26 nM) to a median of 0.16 nM (range 0.10-0.36 nM) after 2 h of exercise, while serum EGF showed no change. The values obtained for B-platelets were a median of 192 x 10(9)/litre (range 109-282 x 10(9)/litre) before the run, and a median of 265 x 10(9)/litre (range 216-387 x 10(9)/litre) after the run. No correlation was observed between the values obtained for B-platelets and the values for plasma or serum EGF IR. The substance concentration of EGF IR in urine increased from a median of 3.2 nM (range 0.5-7.7 nM) to a median of 7.0 nM (range 1.5-15.7 nM) after the run. Expressed relative to the output of carbamide the output of urinary EGF IR increased with a median factor of 2 following the run. Expressed relative to the output of creatinine no increase was observed.