Trophic effects of biosynthetic growth hormone on normal and defunctioned left colon in rats.
BACKGROUND
In rats with diverting colostomies the effects of growth hormone can be differentiated from the actions of fecal passage.


METHODS
After sham operation or diverting colostomy rats were treated with biosynthetic growth hormone (b-hGH) for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
In defunctioned colon of b-hGH-treated rats there were increases in mucosal surface area and the weight of mucosa and muscularis propria compared with the atrophic colon of saline-treated rats. The breaking strength of defunctioned colon rings was greater and the defatted dry weight and hydroxyproline content of these specimens were also increased. In intact colon b-hGH stimulated luminal surface area, the weight of mucosal and submucosal layers, and the hydroxyproline content compared with controls. The breaking strength was highest in specimens from saline-treated rats.


CONCLUSIONS
B-hGH has a growth-promoting role throughout the whole thickness of the colonic wall in rats also in the absence of fecal passage.
Kissmeyer-Nielsen
P
P
Dept. of Surgery L, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark.
Christensen
H
H
Laurberg
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone