Relevance of Growth Factors for the Gastrointestinal Tract and Other Organs

Following Eye Injury ...................................................................234 11.7 Routes of Administration.........................................................................234 11.8 Summary ..................................................................................................234 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................235 References .........................................................................................................235

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract possesses the remarkable ability to remain intact despite being constantly bathed in acid and proteolytic enzymes that can digest virtually any form of food, including the GI tract of other animals. When a superficial mucosal injury occurs, as in direct physical trauma or ingestion of noxious agents such as aspirin or alcohol, it is rapidly healed. The gut therefore possesses powerful mucosal defense and repair mechanisms.