Morphometric and proliferative effects of growth hormone on radiation enteritis in the rat.
Radiation enteritis is a common occurrence after radiotherapy in patients with abdominal tumors. Growth hormone may modify the response of the intestinal mucosa to radiation through its effects on the cell cycle or by increasing cell mass. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of growth hormone in the radiation-induced morphoproliferative changes in the intestinal mucosa.


METHODS
An intestinal mucosal lesion was induced in adult male Wistar rats by means of abdominal irradiation with a lethal dose (LD50) of 1200 cGy. All animals received treatment with either saline or growth hormone for 7 days after irradiation. The animals were sacrificed on day 7. Body weight was determined the morphoproliferative status of the intestinal mucosa was assessed and the disaccharidase activity was measured.


RESULTS
Growth hormone reduced body weight loss and increased mucosal length in irradiated rats. Mucosal proliferation was incremented in both irradiated and nonirradiated growth hormone-treated rats. Disaccharidase activity levels were similar to or higher than control values in all treated groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of growth hormone to irradiated rats reduces intestinal injury, probably as a consequence of an earlier recovery of intestinal morphology and functional status.
Prieto
I
I
Experimental Surgery Service, La Paz Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
Gómez de Segura
I A
IA
García Grande
A
A
García
P
P
Carralero
I
I
de Miguel
E
E
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004751:Enteritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D013006:Growth Hormone