THE INFLUENCE OF GROWTH-HORMONE ON TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR AND NEUTROPHIL LEUKOCYTE FUNCTION IN SEPSIS

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of growth hormone (C H) in sepsis on the immune system represented by the circulating TNF-l evels and the neutrophil leukocytes phagocytic capacity and respirator y burst, 22 piglets were randomized to 3 groups; pretreatment with CH (16 IU) before sepsis (rr = 8), non-treated septic controls (n = 8), a nd non-septic controls (n = 6), Sepsis was induced by a standardized i nfusion of live E. coli, TNF was measured by a cytotoxic bioassay, whi le neutrophil function tests were carried out by flowcytometric assays . In brief, phagocytosis was evaluated by the neutrophils' ability to ingest FITC-labelled (fluorescein isothiocyanate) E, coli and intracel lular release of oxygen metabolites was detected by the oxidation of 2 ',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) to the fluorescent 2',7'-dichlorofluore scein (DCF). Our data show a suppression of phagocytosis in the CH-tre ated group before sepsis; however, when challenged with Cram-negative bacteria, the phagocytic capacity was similar to that of the non-treat ed animals. The serum levels of TNF in the non-treated septic control group were twice the levels of those in the GH-treated group, 65.7 pg/ ml (septic controls) vs 32.8 pg/ml (GH), Pretreatment with a single do se of GH few hours prior to sepsis does not seem to entail any further imbalance of the neutrophil function in sepsis. Lowering of the circu lating TNF-levels is a presumptive favourable effect of CH in sepsis.