Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the intestinal mucosa barrier of septic rats and explore its possible mechanism. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: control, Escherichia coli-induced sepsis (S) and treatment (T) groups. Groups S and T were subdivided into subgroups 1d and 3d, respectively. Expression of liver insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA, Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels and the intestinal Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and plasma GH and IGF-1 levels were determined. Histological examination of the intestine was performed and bacterial translocation was determined. rhGH significantly attenuated intestinal mucosal injuries and bacterial translocation in septic rats, markedly decreased Bax protein levels, inhibited the decrease of Bcl-2 protein expression and maintained the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the intestine. rhGH given after sepsis significantly improved levels of plasma GH (T1d: 1.28 +/- 0.24; T3d: 2.14 +/- 0.48 microg/L vs S1d: 0.74 +/- 0.12; S3d: 0.60 +/- 0.18 microg/L; P < 0.05) and IGF-1 (T1d: 168.94 +/- 65.67; T3d: 201.56 +/- 64.98 microg/L vs S1d: 116.72 +/- 13.96; S3d: 107.50 +/- 23.53 microg/L; P < 0.05) and expression of liver IGF-1 mRNA (T1d: 0.98 +/- 0.20; T3d: 1.76 +/- 0.17 vs S1d: 0.38 +/- 0.09; S3d: 0.46 +/- 0.10; P < 0.05). These findings indicate that treatment with rhGH had beneficial effects on the maintenance of the integrity of the intestinal mucosa barrier in septic rats.
Highlights
The intestinal mucosa has metabolic, endocrine and immunologic functions and serves as a major local defense barrier, preventing translocation of bacteria and endotoxins from the gut to extraintestinal tissues and blood [1]
The present study showed that the integrity of the intestinal mucosa barrier was markedly compromised in septic rats
The results of Gram staining indicated that bacterial translocation occurred in the intestine of septic rats. recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) administration reduced the injuries to the intestinal mucosa and bacterial translocation in septic rats, suggesting that treatment with rhGH had benbp M
Summary
The intestinal mucosa has metabolic, endocrine and immunologic functions and serves as a major local defense barrier, preventing translocation of bacteria and endotoxins from the gut to extraintestinal tissues and blood [1]. With a half-life of only 3 h, GH action is mostly mediated by GH-dependent hepatic production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which has been defined as an important intestinal growth factor [2]. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) can enhance protein synthesis, promote tissue recovery, stimulate intestinal epithelial growth, etc. The mechanism of the protective effect of rhGH on the intestinal mucosa barrier is not understood
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