Growth hormone and nutrition as protective agents against methotrexate induced enteritis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether exogenously administered growth hormone can reduce or prevent chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucosa injury. The expected results will allow to consider its potential clinical use.


METHODS
Experimental and randomized study.


METHODS
Experimental Surgery Service, La Paz University Hospital.


METHODS
Adult Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g.


METHODS
A chemotherapy protocol with methotrexate (MTX) (120 mg/kg) was employed. Animals fed either with a normoproteic or a hyperproteic liquid diet were treated with either saline or growth hormone (1 mg/kg/day) since three days before until four days after chemotherapy. Animals were sacrificed seven days after MTX administration for tissue sampling.


RESULTS
Co-administration of growth hormone and a hyperproteic diet increased intestinal crypt proliferation and reduced MTX-induced apoptosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Jejunal mucosal structure (morphometry), proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (TUNNEL) were assessed.
Ortega
M
M
Service of Experimental Surgery, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
de Segura
I A
IA
Vázquez
I
I
López
J M
JM
De Miguel
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000633:toxicity*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D004751:Enteritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D013006:Growth Hormone; D008727:Methotrexate