Short-term application of low-dose growth hormone in surgical patients: effects on nitrogen balance and blood glucose.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in postoperative patients.


METHODS
A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal operations were randomized to receive either subcutaneous rhGH (0.15 IU/kg) or placebo (menstruum) injections daily for 7 d after surgery. The two groups had similar nutritional intake. Blood samples for serum fibronectin, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and the total lymphocyte count, as well as glucose levels were collected to study the rhGH effect. Basal laboratory evaluation, and nutritional status were estimated on d 1 before as baseline and d 3 and 10 after operation using standard laboratory techniques. Nitrogen balance was measured from d 3 to 9 after operation.


RESULTS
The cumulative nitrogen balance was significantly improved in rhGH group compared with the placebo group (11.37 +/- 16.82 vs -9.11 +/- 17.52, P = 0.0003). Serum fibronectin was also significantly higher in the rhGH group than in the placebo group (104.77 +/- 19.94 vs 93.03 +/- 16.03, P < 0.05), whereas changes in serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and total lymphocyte counts were not statistically significant. Mean blood glucose levels were significantly higher in the rhGH group from d 3 to 6 after operation.


CONCLUSIONS
If blood glucose can be controlled, low-dose growth hormone together with hypocaloric nutrition is effective on improving positive nitrogen balance and protein conservation and safe is in postoperative patients.
Zhang
Ming-Ming
MM
Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Rd., Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Wu
Xiao-Ting
XT
Zhou
Yong
Y
Qian
Kun
K
Zheng
Ya-Min
YM
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D011506:Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D009584:Nitrogen