Timing, route, and dose of administration of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in protection against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

These data demonstrate that HB-EGF acts as an effective intestinal cytoprotective agent when administered intraluminally not only before injury, but also during injury and, most importantly, even after intestinal injury has already occurred. These findings support a basis for the prophylactic use of intraluminal HB-EGF in high-risk patients, as well as for the administration of HB-EGF to salvage patients in whom an intestinal insult has already occurred.