Ia. Gomezdesegura et al., GROWTH-HORMONE ENHANCES THE INTESTINAL AD APTIVE RESPONSE AFTER SMALL-BOWEL RESECTION IN THE RAT, Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas, 87(4), 1995, pp. 288-293
The aim of this study was to assess the proliferative effect of growth
hormone (GH) on the remnant intestinal mucosa after small bowel resec
tion in the rat. Three groups (n=8/group) of adult Wistar rats were es
tablished as follows: 1) control, 2) 90% small bowel resection (SBR) a
nd 3) 90% small bowel resection + GH 1 mg/kg-day (SBR+GH) during 7 day
s. Ileal samples were taken prior to resection (basal), and at sacrifi
ce, for assessment of intestinal mucosal growth by means of morphometr
ic (crypt and villous length) and proliferative (proliferating cell nu
clear antigen, PCNA) techniques. GH administered to resected rats (SBR
+GH) significantly increased the number of proliferating cells and cr
ypt and villous length when compared to resected non-treated animals (
SBR). In conclusion, in the rat, GH markedly increases the trophic act
ion of intestinal mucosa in hyperproliferative states like massive bow
el resection, enhancing remnant bowel morphologic and proliferative ad
aptation.