Metabolic effects of two regimens of growth hormone given before operation in piglets.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the effects of growth hormone (GH) given three days before and at the start of a standard abdominal operation or at the start of the abdominal operation alone in piglets.


METHODS
Randomised experiment.


METHODS
University hospital, Norway


METHODS
Twenty-four piglets.


METHODS
GH 24 IU was given intramuscularly for either three days before and on the morning of the operation or on the morning of a standard abdominal operation only (n = 8 in each group) A further 8 piglets acted as untreated controls.


METHODS
Diameter of fibres in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles; urinary nitrogen excretion; and fat and carbohydrate oxidation measured by indirect calorimetry.


RESULTS
Nitrogen excretion was reduced (in the three days group the mean (SEM) was 30.8 (4.2) mg/kg, corresponding figures from the one day group and the controls were 37.6 (5.8) and 55.4 (3.1) mg/kg, respectively, p = 0.004). Fat oxidation increased (for the whole period: p = 0.014) and carbohydrate oxidation decreased (p = 0.02) in the one day group only. The diameter of type I muscle fibres was increased in both muscles (soleus, three day group, mean (SEM) 37.5(1.4) microns compared with control, 30.4(0.6) microns, p = 0.001, and gastrocnemius, three day group 38.6(1.3) microns compared with control, 30.8(1.4) microns, p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Three days treatment with GH enhanced nitrogen sparing and attenuated changes in fat and carbohydrate oxidation induced by one day treatment, but induced hypertrophy of type I muscle fibres.
Department of Surgery, Tromsø University Hospital, Norway.
M
M
Mjaaland
K
K
Unneberg
T G
TG
Jenssen
T
T
Bjøro
S
S
Lindal
A
A
Revhaug
D000818:Animals; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011773:Pyruvates / Q000378:metabolism; D019289:Pyruvic Acid; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D005227:Fatty Acids; D007773:Lactates; D011773:Pyruvates; D014280:Triglycerides; D019344:Lactic Acid; D019289:Pyruvic Acid; D013006:Growth Hormone; D005947:Glucose; D009584:Nitrogen