Effect of plasmid cloned vasculer endothelial growth factor gene on healing at experimental model of necrotizin enterocolitis

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency and the leading surgical cause of death in premature infants. The aim of this study is to apply human VEGF-A naked DNA-mediated gene therapy in order to search their effects in the healing process of necrotizing enterocolitis.Methods: Twenty-four Wistar albino newborn rats were divided into three equal groups (n=8) as follows: Group-1: sham group; group-2: necrotizing enterocolitis+plasmid delivery; Group-3: necrotizing enterocolitis+ VEGF plazmid delivery. Wistar albino newborn rats were fed by hand and exposed to asphyxia by CO2 chamber and cold stress to develop NEC. All of the rats were sacrificed in the postoperative 4th day. Tissue oxidative damage, inflammatory parameters and VEGF levels were determined by using biochemical methods. Necrosis, ephytelization, inflammatory processes, and neovascularization were studied histopatologically.Results: The intestinal tissue levels of MDA and NO were significantly different between the VEGF therapy and control group (P <0.05). VEGF gene therapy significiantly accelerated the healing process of histologic parameters included angiogenesis.Conclusions: The results of the current study revealed that VEGF gene therapy improved vascularization and reduced intestinal injury by minimizing oxidative stress. This therapy can be effectively used in NEC in the future.