The effects of growth hormone on the healing of colonic anastomoses in rats.

Aim: Growth hormone is known to affect healing on the postoperative patient. The aim of the present experimental study was to evaluate the effect of systematic infusion of growth hormone on the healing of colonic anastomoses in rats.

Methods: Fourty Albino-Wistar male rats were randomly divided into two groups, a control group (CONTROL) and a growth hormone (GH) group. In both groups, an end-to-end colonic anastomosis was performed after segmental resection. In the CONTROL group, 1 cc saline was administered subcutaneously in the experimental animals' necks in two equal doses daily until the sixth postoperative day. In the GH group, rats were administered a growth hormone solution (2 mg/kg b.w.) in an amount of 1 cc subcutaneously in their necks in two equal doses daily until the sixth postoperative day. Rats were sacrificed on the seventh postoperative day. Anastomoses were resected and macroscopically examined. Bursting pressures were calculated and histological features were graded and hydroxyproline was evaluated.

Results: No deaths or wound infections were observed until the sacrifice. Bodyweight was significantly increased in the GH group until the seventh postoperative day (p = 0.005). Bursting pressures (p = 0.0025), adhesion formation (p=0.0019), hydroxyproline concentrations (p = 0.007) were significantly higher in the GH group than in the control group. Also GH lead to decreased inflammation (p < 0.001), but increased neoangiogenesis (p < 0.001), fibroblast activity (p = 0.001) and collagen deposition (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Growth hormone, when applied systematically in rats with colonic anastomoses, promotes their healing in rats. Therefore, the application of growth hormone in colonic anastomoses leads to better outcomes.

Key Words: Adhesion, Bursting pressure, Collagen, Hydroxyproline, Inflammation, Neoangiogenesis.