The effects of fibroblast growth factors on ischemic kidney, liver and gut injuries.

Objective: To explore the possibility of reducing reperfusion injuries of internal organ with acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF).

Methods: Two kinds of ischemia and reperfusion animal models were used in this study. In rat model of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion, microvascular clamp was placed on the root of SMA to cut off the blood flow for 45 minutes, and then the clamp was removed. In rat model of bilateral renal ischemia and reperfusion, both renal arteries were clipped to get complete cessation of blood flow for 60 minutes, then the blood flow was allowed to return. At the onset of reperfusion, the doses of 4.0 micrograms/rat of bFGF in SMA occluded rats or 2.6 micrograms/rat of aFGF in rats with acute renal injury were administered through the jugular vein. The liver and renal function examination, tissue bacterial study and histopathological evaluation were done to evaluate the treatment results.

Results: The functional impairment of ischemic liver, gut and kidney were reduced with venous administration of aFGF or bFGF at the onset of reperfusion. The results of pathological and tissue bacterial examination supported the assertion of significant protective effects of FGFs.

Conclusions: The protective effects of FGFs may come from the non-mitogenic effects of FGFs at the early and the mitogenic effects at the late stage of tissue repair. These results indicate a potential for clinical use of FGFs as a therapeutic modality in ischemic visceral organ injuries in the future.