Effects of growth hormone in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition following major gastrointestinal surgery.
The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the administration of a biosynthetic human growth hormone was capable of enhancing the efficacy of total parenteral nutrition. Patients (n = 38) who had undergone major gastrointestinal surgery were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n = 20) treated only with PN, and Group II (n = 18) treated as in Group I plus human growth hormone (4 IU daily). Our study shows that the administration of human growth hormone produces a statistically significant increase in serum levels of growth hormone, somatomedin-C, transferrin, albumin and total proteins. It also causes a positive nitrogen balance from the first 24 hours onward. These findings suggest that the administration of human growth hormone produces an increase in protein synthesis, perhaps through somatomedin-C as mediator.
Vara-Thorbeck
R
R
Department of Surgery, University of Granada, Spain.
Guerrero
J A
JA
Ruiz-Requena
M E
ME
Capitán
J
J
Rodriguez
M
M
Rosell
J
J
Mekinassi
K
K
Maldonado
M
M
Martin
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001798:Blood Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013006:Growth Hormone