Alterations in the neuroendocrine control of growth hormone secretion in the uremic rat

Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is associated with growth failure in children and laboratory rats and is considered to be due, in part, to co-existent malnutrition. Alterations in hypothalamic control of growth hormone (GH) secretion have been suggested in uremic patients. We sought to determine whether factors unique to CRI play a role in this disturbance of GH regulation. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, we compared messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for the hypothalamic neurohormones GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIH) in three groups: rats with CRI induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (NPX, N = 4); sham-operated, ad libitum fed rats (SAL, N = 5); and sham-operated, pair-fed rats (SPF, N = 5). We also measured plasma GH at 10 minute intervals for a six hour period via intra-atrial cannulae. The NPX group had significantly lower hypothalamic GHRH mRNA concentrations than both other groups; in addition, these levels were significantly lower in the SPF than in the SAL group. Concentrations of hypothalamic SRIH mRNA did not differ significantly among the three experimental groups. Six-hour mean plasma GH concentrations were significantly lower in the SPF (18.3 +/- 1.8 micrograms/liter) than in either the SAL (27.0 +/- 3.3 micrograms/liter) or the NPX groups (36.8 +/- 7.2 micrograms/liter); the difference in the mean plasma GH levels in the NPX vs. the SAL group did not attain statistical significance. This study provides evidence for an effect of CRI on the neuroendocrine control of GH secretion not related to caloric intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)