Growth hormone improves graft mucosal structure and recipient protein metabolism in rat small bowel transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on graft structure and recipient protein metabolism in rat small bowel transplantation (SBT) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) models.


METHODS
Twenty recipients of rat allogeneic heterotopic small bowel transplants (SD-->Wistar) were divided into two groups (GH group and control group). Both groups were supported by standard TPN. Acute rejection was suppressed with CsA 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) intramuscularly. All rats in the experimental group received subcutaneous rhGH 1 U x kg(-1) x d(-1) after transplantation. Morphological mucosal indices of transplanted gut and metabolic parameters such as body weight, nitrogen balance, urinary 3-methyl histidine excretion and serum albumin of the recipients were compared between two groups.


RESULTS
The application of rhGH promoted graft recovery significantly compared with standard TPN support alone. On postoperative day 14, all morphological indexes of transplanted gut recovered to the preoperative state. Protein metabolism in the recipient was also significantly improved. rhGH decreased the catabolism of protein, accelerated regaining of positive nitrogen balance and corrected hypoalbuminemia.


CONCLUSIONS
GH is an effective metabolic intervention in SBT. It may promote the structural repair of the graft and correct the metabolic disturbance. It is useful in improving the outcome of clinical SBT.
Institute of General Surgery, Nanjing General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Nanjing 210002, China. Zhangxq2001@Chinaren.com
Xiaoqiao
X
Zhang
Jieshou
J
Li
Ning
N
Li
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation*; D008762:Methylhistidines / Q000652:urine*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D008762:Methylhistidines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; C028118:3-methylhistidine; D009584:Nitrogen