Growth hormone plus high protein diet promotes adaptation after massive bowel resection in aged rats

Objective. To determine whether GH improves adaptation following massive bo wel resection in the aged rat fed on a high protein-content diet. Material and methods. Seventy-seven male Wistar rats aged 22 +/- 1 months u nderwent 80% bowel resection or laparotomy (sham-operation). They were rand omly placed into one of eight groups, treated with either growth hormone (1 mg/kg/day) or saline, and fed a liquid diet containing either a high or a normal protein content. Intestinal tissue and blood samples were taken seve n days after surgery and analysed to measure intestinal mucosal proliferati on and mucosal height, as well as plasma levels of IGF-1 and somatostatin. Results. Resection of the small bowel in aged rats remarkably increased vil lous height and crypt proliferation. Growth hormone did not potentiate the increase in mucosal height and crypt proliferation observed after intestina l resection in aged rats fed a normal protein content diet, but did in thos e receiving a high-protein diet. Plasma levels of IGF-1 and somatostatin we re not modified by surgery or treatment. Conclusion. Growth hormone may increase the adaptation of intestinal mucosa in aged rats undergoing massive intestinal resection, but requires an adeq uate nutritional support with increased amounts of high quality protein. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.