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Trophic effects of biosynthetic growth hormone on normal and defunctioned left colon in rats
P Kissmeyer-Nielsen1, H Christensen, S Laurberg
1Dept. of Surgery L, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark.
Background:
In rats with diverting colostomies the effects of growth hormone can be differentiated from the actions of fecal passage.
Methods:
After sham operation or diverting colostomy rats were treated with biosynthetic growth hormone (b-hGH) for 4 weeks.
Results:
In defunctioned colon of b-hGH-treated rats there were increases in mucosal surface area and the weight of mucosa and muscularis propria compared with the atrophic colon of saline-treated rats. The breaking strength of defunctioned colon rings was greater and the defatted dry weight and hydroxyproline content of these specimens were also increased. In intact colon b-hGH stimulated luminal surface area, the weight of mucosal and submucosal layers, and the hydroxyproline content compared with controls. The breaking strength was highest in specimens from saline-treated rats.
Conclusions:
B-hGH has a growth-promoting role throughout the whole thickness of the colonic wall in rats also in the absence of fecal passage.