Gastric luminal epidermal growth factor is affected by diet.

OBJECTIVE Diet is an area of major interest to those investigating the causes of cancer of the oesophagus in the Transkei. This study looked at the associations between intragastric epidermal growth factor level, diet and intragastric pH. SETTING AND SUBJECTS A dietary survey was co-ordinated with studies of gastric luminal epidermal growth factor and gastric fluid pH in 120 rural Transkeians. RESULTS Gastric fluid epidermal growth factor was associated with low dietary intake of animal products (p = 0.002) and vegetables (p = 0.026). There was no association with pH. CONCLUSION A dietary subgroup has been identified in the Transkei population with high levels of epidermal growth factor in the upper gastrointestinal lumen. This adds to previously demonstrated diet-related changes in the upper gastrointestinal tract in Transkei. These changes may affect the disease pattern of the population.