Protective effects of recombinant growth hormone on intestinal mucosa in rats receiving abdominal radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Radiation injury to the gut induces nutrient losses that compromise the body ability to adequately fight infection, heal wounds and recover from illness. Recombinant growth hormone (rhGH), is known to enhance anabolism, therefore, we tested the hypothesis that rhGH preserves whole body growth and trophism of the jejunum and ileum of irradiated rats.


METHODS
After acclimatization period, the rats were divided in three groups: (1). control rats (C), (2). rats irradiated with a single dose of 10 Gy (group A); (3). rats irradiated with a single dose of 5 Gy (Group B); after irradiation, rats were given subcutaneously (sc) saline or 0.25 or 0.50 mg rhGH/kg BW/d for the following 6 days. Body weight changes were recorded during this time. On day 6 post-radiation, rats were killed and small intestine mucosa dry and wet weights were measured, as well as mucosa protein content.


RESULTS
Group A rats lost body weight during the 6-day post-radiation period, regardless of rhGH treatment and dosage. rhGH was effective in preventing weight loss and normalizing growth in group B rats (saline 23.1+/-11.1, vs. controls P<0.05; rhGH: 35.0+/-10.0 g BW/d, vs. controls P = ns). Trophic effect of rhGH was observed on mucosa weight and mucosa protein content in rats irradiated with 5 Gy, but not in those receiving 10 Gy.


CONCLUSIONS
rhGH seems to normalize growth and mucosa protein content in irradiated rats. However, rhGH beneficial effects were observed only in rats receiving the lower dose of radiation.
Raguso
C A
CA
Division of Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Leverve
X
X
Pichard
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D013006:Growth Hormone