MORPHOMETRIC AND PROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF GROWTH-HORMONE ON RADIATIONENTERITIS IN THE RAT

Radiation enteritis is a common occurrence after radiotherapy in patie nts with abdominal tumors. Growth hormone may modify the response of t he intestinal mucosa to radiation through its effects on the cell cycl e or by increasing cell mass. The aim of this study is to determine th e effects of growth hormone in the radiation-induced morphoproliferati ve changes in the intestinal mucosa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: an intestin al mucosal lesion was induced in adult male Wistar rats by means of ab dominal irradiation with a lethal dose (LD50) of 1200 cGy. All animals received treatment with either saline or growth hormone for 7 days af ter irradiation. The animals were sacrificed on day 7. Body weight was determined the morphoproliferative status of the intestinal mucosa wa s assessed and the disaccharidase activity was measured. RESULTS: grow th hormone reduced body weight loss and increased mucosal length in ir radiated rats. Mucosal proliferation was incremented in both irradiate d and nonirradiated growth hormone-treated rats. Disaccharidase activi ty levels were similar to or higher than control values in all treated groups. CONCLUSION: administration of growth hormone to irradiated ra ts reduces intestinal injury, probably as a consequence of an earlier recovery of intestinal morphology and functional status.