PERIOPERATIVE GROWTH-HORMONE IMPROVES WOUND-HEALING AND IMMUNOLOGICALFUNCTION IN RATS RECEIVING ADRIAMYCIN

Administration of perioperative growth hormone may reverse alterations in wound healing and immunologic function in animals receiving chemot herapy. F344 rats were randomized into three groups: Control (n = 12), Chemo (n = 13), and Chemo + GH (n = 12). Human growth hormone (GH) (3 mg/kg sc bid) was begun on Day 0 and continued for 2 weeks. On Day 7, all animals underwent a standardized midline laparotomy, gastrotomy, and placement of a subcutaneous wound sponge. In addition, a single do se of adriamycin (5 mg/ kg iv) was administered to those animals recei ving chemotherapy. On Day 12, right hindlimb footpads were challenged with 50 mu g of dinitrochlorobenzene. On Day 14, bursting strengths of the laparotomy and gastrotomy were measured. The wound sponge and gas tric anastomosis were analyzed for hydroxyproline (OH-Pro) content. An imal spleens were weighed and splenocytes harvested for NR cell activi ty. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) is reported as percentage of h indlimb foot pad swelling (%FPS). Data are expressed as means +/- SD a nd comparisons by ANOVA. The laparotomy bursting strength (mm Hg) in t he Chemo + GH group (81 +/- 14) was significantly higher than that in the Chemo group (66 +/- 15, P < 0.05). The anastomotic tissue OH-Pro l evels (mu mole/g dry tissue) in the Chemo + GH group (107.9 +/- 15.2) were significantly higher than those in the Chemo group (62.9 +/- 8.5, P < 0.001). GH increased splenic weights (mg) over those of Chemo (0. 50 +/- 0.13 vs 0.37 +/- 0.05, P < 0.05). NK cell activity (% killing) was significantly elevated in the Chemo + GH group compared to that in Chemo. DTH (%FPS) was significantly depressed in the Chemo group comp ared to that in the Chemo + GH group (18 +/- 7 vs 28 +/- 7, P < 0.05). Perioperative GH attenuates most chemotherapy-induced defects in woun d healing and immunologic status. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.