Premium
THE EFFECT OF RECOMBINANT GROWTH HORMONE ON NITROGEN BALANCE IN MALNOURISHED PATIENTS AFTER MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY
Author(s) -
Wong W. K.,
Soo K. C.,
Nambiar R.,
Tan Y. S.,
Yo S. L.,
Tan I. K.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1995.tb07273.x
Subject(s) - medicine , nitrogen balance , anabolism , placebo , retinol binding protein , hormone , endocrinology , protein catabolism , insulin , recombinant dna , saline , surgery , retinol , vitamin , biochemistry , nitrogen , physics , alternative medicine , amino acid , pathology , quantum mechanics , gene , chemistry
The effect of recombinant growth hormone (rGH) on nitrogen balance was studied in malnourished patients receiving total parenteral nutrition after major abdominal surgery. Fifteen patients were randomized to receive either subcutaneous rGH (0.2 iu/kg) or placebo (saline) injection daily for seven days after surgery. Positive nitrogen balance was achieved throughout the treatment period with rGH administration and was significant on days 3 and 6. This was associated with increase in mid‐arm muscle circumference and significant weight gain. Plasma insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentration was significantly raised in the rGH group at day 7, suggesting its role in the anabolic effect of growth hormone. Plasma pre‐albumin and retinol‐binding protein concentrations were raised in both the rGH and control groups, indicating improvement in the nutritional status. We conclude that the postoperative catabolic response can be attenuated using recombinant growth hormone.