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Dichtel LE, Cordoba-Chacon J, Kineman RD. Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Regulation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:1812-1824. [PMID: 35172328 PMCID: PMC9202731 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Patients with obesity have a high prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), representing a spectrum of simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), without and with fibrosis. Understanding the etiology of NAFLD is clinically relevant since NAFLD is an independent risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, NASH predisposes patients to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and NASH cirrhosis represents the fastest growing indication for liver transplantation in the United States. It is appreciated that multiple factors are involved in the development and progression of NAFLD. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) regulate metabolic, immune, and hepatic stellate cell function, and alterations in the production and function of GH is associated with obesity and NAFLD/NASH. Therefore, this review will focus on the potential role of GH and IGF1 in the regulation of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Dichtel
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jose Cordoba-Chacon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rhonda D Kineman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Research and Development Division, Chicago, IL, USA
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Wu X, Gao L, Guo X, Wang Q, Wang Z, Lian W, Liu W, Sun J, Xing B. GH, IGF-1, and Age Are Important Contributors to Thyroid Abnormalities in Patients with Acromegaly. Int J Endocrinol 2018; 2018:6546832. [PMID: 29593792 PMCID: PMC5821993 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6546832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and possible mechanisms of structural and endocrinological changes to the thyroid in acromegaly. METHODS We studied 93 acromegalic patients from PUMCH between January 2013 and December 2013. The demographic and clinical information were recorded. Specimens of pituitary adenomas and thyroid cancer were collected for BRAF mutation assessments. RESULTS Thyroid morphological abnormalities were found in 72 (77.4%) patients. Three (3.2%) were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The thyroid gland volume was significantly increased in patients with higher random GH (p = 0.01), higher nadir GH (p = 0.008), and higher IGF-1 level (p = 0.018). Age (p = 0.002) was an independent risk factor for thyroid morphological abnormalities in acromegaly. The GH burden was significantly higher in patients with thyroid morphological abnormalities (p = 0.036). The BRAF V600E mutation was detected in the PTCs of the two patients with thyroid cancer. CONCLUSIONS Both benign and malignant thyroid abnormalities are increased in the acromegalic population compared to those in the general population. Age at diagnosis is an independent risk factor for thyroid abnormalities, and GH burden may be a partial contributor. Early diagnosis, early treatment, and monitoring of postoperational endocrine levels are important for acromegalic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Wei Lian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Bing Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing 100730, China
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION In acromegaly the long-term exposure to high growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may result in specific complications in different human organs, including the thyroid gland and the colon. MATERIALS AND METHODS We will review here the evidence available regarding the characteristic thyroid and colon complications in acromegaly. RESULTS This review summarizes the published data observing noncancerous structural abnormalities (thyroid nodules, colonic polyps) and thyroid and colon cancer in patients diagnosed with acromegaly. CONCLUSION Thyroid micro-carcinomas are probably over-diagnosed among acromegalic patients. In regard to colon cancer, there is no sufficient data to suggest that colon cancer risk is higher in acromegaly compared to the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Tirosh
- Institute of Endocrinology, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Shimon
- Institute of Endocrinology, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Ciresi A, Guarnotta V, Amato MC, Giordano C. Correlation between severity of growth hormone deficiency and thyroid metabolism and effects of long-term growth hormone treatment on thyroid function in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. Horm Res Paediatr 2015; 81:379-85. [PMID: 24802024 DOI: 10.1159/000356907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The significance of changes in thyroid function in children during growth hormone (GH) treatment remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the impact of GH replacement on thyroid status in children with idiopathic GH deficiency (GHD). METHODS Data of 105 GHD children (82 M, 23 F; aged 11.13 years) during a 36-month follow-up were analyzed. At diagnosis the areas under the curve of GH (AUCGH) were calculated during a GH-releasing hormone + arginine (GHRH-Arg) and insulin tolerance test. RESULTS A significant ΔfT3 (p < 0.001) was documented at 12 months, without any further change at 24 and 36 months and without fT4 and TSH modifications. Grouping patients according to ΔfT3 at 12 months into those with lower (n = 80, 76%) or greater values than the 75th percentile (n = 25, 24%), the latter showed lower AUCGH and GH peak during a GHRH-Arg (p = 0.018 and 0.014, respectively) and insulin tolerance test (p = 0.023 and 0.020, respectively) at diagnosis. In addition, children with lower GH at diagnosis showed a greater ΔfT3 at 12 months (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS In GHD children, GH treatment is associated with a significant increase in fT3 in the first 12 months, more pronounced in patients with more severe GHD, highlighting the strong correlation between severity of GHD and thyroid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ciresi
- Section of Endocrinology, Biomedical Department of Internal and Specialist Medicine (DIBIMIS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Dąbrowska AM, Tarach JS, Kurowska M, Nowakowski A. Thyroid diseases in patients with acromegaly. Arch Med Sci 2014; 10:837-45. [PMID: 25276172 PMCID: PMC4175760 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2013.36924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2012] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acromegaly often involves the presence of different pathologies of the thyroid gland. Long-lasting stimulation of the follicular epithelium by growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can cause disorders in thyroid function, an increase in its mass and the development of goitre. Acromegalic patients present most frequently with non-toxic multinodular goitre. Nodules are more prevalent in patients with active acromegaly. It has been suggested that then thyroid size increases and it can be reduced through treatment with somatostatin analogues. The relationship between thyroid volume and the level of IGF-1 and the duration of the disease is unclear. Each acromegalic patient requires a hormonal and imaging evaluation of the thyroid when the diagnosis is made, and an accurate evaluation during further observation and treatment. Although the data concerning the co-occurrence of acromegaly and thyroid cancer still remain controversial, it is particularly important to diagnose the patient early and to rule out thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Kurowska
- Chair and Department of Endocrinology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Nowakowski
- Chair and Department of Endocrinology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
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Abstract
Thyroid hormones are extremely important for metabolism, development, and growth during the lifetime. The hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis is precisely regulated for these purposes. Much of our knowledge of this hormonal axis is derived from experiments in animals and mutations in man. This review examines the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis particularly in relation to the regulated 24-hour serum TSH concentration profiles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including obesity, primary hypothyroidism, pituitary diseases, psychiatric disorders, and selected neurological diseases. Diurnal TSH rhythms can be analyzed with novel and precise techniques, eg, operator-independent deconvolution and approximate entropy. These approaches provide indirect insight in the regulatory components in pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Roelfsema
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Roelfsema F, Biermasz NR, Frolich M, Keenan DM, Veldhuis JD, Romijn JA. Diminished and irregular thyrotropin secretion with preserved diurnal rhythm in patients with active acromegaly. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009; 94:1945-50. [PMID: 19336512 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2009-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis in acromegaly may be altered. Previous studies report diminished serum TSH concentrations in patients with active acromegaly and decreased response to TRH. On the other hand, most patients have normal thyroid hormone concentrations. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to analyze serum TSH profiles in relation to GH profiles in patients with untreated acromegaly, in order to delineate aberrations in the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid system. INTERVENTION Twenty-one patients with active acromegaly and matched controls underwent a 24-h, 10-min blood sampling study. GH and TSH data were analyzed with a newly developed automated deconvolution program, approximate entropy, and cosinor regression. RESULTS Basal (10.4 +/- 2.0 vs. 13.8 +/- 1.4 mU/liter . 24 h; P = 0.02) and pulsatile (11.4 +/- 1.7 vs. 18.6 +/- 1.6 mU/liter . 24 h; P = 0.002) TSH secretion was decreased in patients. TSH secretory regularity was diminished with loss of pattern synchrony between TSH and GH. Total TSH secretion correlated with TSH increase after TRH (R = 0.75; P = 0.0001), negatively with the log-transformed GH secretion rate (R = -0.52; P = 0.001), but not with adenoma size. The diurnal TSH rhythm was preserved. Total and free T4 concentrations were similar in patients and controls. CONCLUSION Basal and pulsatile TSH secretion is decreased in active acromegaly, although T4 levels are unaffected. Diminished TSH secretion is compatible with enhanced restraint by tumoral GH feedback-driven somatostatin outflow, explaining also the reduced regularity of TSH secretion. Unchanged T4 concentrations might reflect decreased sympathetic function in GH excess states, heightening responsiveness of the thyroid gland to TSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Roelfsema
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands.
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Khamaisi M, Søndergaard M, Segev Y, Dagnaes-Hansen F, Jensen TG, Landau D, Raz I, Flyvbjerg A. Differential effects on kidney and liver growth of a non-viral hGH-expression vector in hypophysectomized mice. Growth Horm IGF Res 2007; 17:279-287. [PMID: 17392003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2007.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2006] [Revised: 01/26/2007] [Accepted: 01/30/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Non-viral gene transfer was investigated as a potential modality for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) using hypophysectomized (Hx) mice as a model. Hx mice were injected with a control plasmid or a plasmid containing the human (h) GH gene driven by a ubiquitin promoter, or left untreated. Treatment with the hGH gene has previously been shown to normalize longitudinal growth and serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The present study was conducted to examine the renal/hepatic changes and gene/peptide expression of the GH/IGF-I axis in animals chronically expressing hGH. Following a single hydrodynamic administration of a plasmid DNA containing the hGH gene, a sustained elevation of the circulating hGH level was observed throughout the entire observation period, with a concomitant normalization of circulating IGF-I and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). In addition, longitudinal growth was corrected by normalizing tibia length, tail length, and body weight gain. Interestingly, kidney weights were only partly normalized, whereas kidney glomerular volume and liver weights were fully normalized. Kidney and liver IGF-I protein content was reduced in the Hx mice, but was normalized by hGH treatment. Kidney and liver GH receptor (GHR) mRNA levels were unchanged in the Hx mice, whereas the liver IGF-I mRNA level was reduced in the Hx mice, but was normalized by hGH treatment. We conclude that non-viral hGH gene transfer in Hx mice, which normalizes longitudinal growth and serum IGF-I levels, has differential effects on renal growth and glomerular volume. The potential effects of such excess glomerular growth induced by this intervention require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mogher Khamaisi
- The Medical Research Laboratories, Clinical Institute and Medical Department M (Diabetes and Endocrinology), Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Kahl S, Elsasser TH, Sartin JL, Fayer R. Effect of progressive cachectic parasitism and growth hormone treatment on hepatic 5'-deiodinase activity in calves. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2002; 22:211-21. [PMID: 12044611 DOI: 10.1016/s0739-7240(02)00127-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid status is compromised in a variety of acute and chronic infections. Conversion of thyroxine (T(4)) into the metabolically active hormone, triiodothyronine (T(3)), is catalyzed by 5'-deiodinase (5'D) mainly in extrathyroidal tissues. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of protozoan parasitic infection (Sarcocystis cruzi) on hepatic 5'D (type I) activity and plasma concentrations of T(3) and T(4) in placebo- or bovine GH (bGH)-injected calves. Holstein bull calves (127.5+/-2.0 kg BW) were assigned to control (C, ad libitum fed), infected (I, 250,000 S. cruzi sporocysts per os, ad libitum fed), and pair-fed (PF, non-infected, fed to intake of I treatment) groups placebo-injected, and three similar groups injected daily with pituitary-derived bGH (USDA-B-1, 0.1mg/kg, i.m.) designated as C(GH), I(GH) and PF(GH). GH injections were initiated on day 20 post-infection (PI), 3-4 days prior to the onset of clinical signs of the acute phase response (APR), and were continued to day 56 PI at which time calves were euthanized for liver collection. Blood samples were collected on day 0, 28, and 55 PI. Alterations in nutritional intake did not affect type I 5'D in liver. Treatment with bGH increased (P<0.05) 5'D activity in C (24.6%) and PF (25.5%) but not in I calves. Compared to PF calves, infection with S. cruzi reduced 5'D activity 25% (P<0.05) and 47.8% (P<0.01) in placebo- and bGH-injected calves, respectively. Neither nutrition nor bGH treatment significantly affected plasma concentrations of T(4) and T(3) on day 28 and 55 PI. However, plasma thyroid hormones were reduced by infection. On day 28 PI, the average plasma concentrations of T(3) and T(4) were reduced in infected calves (I and I(GH)) 36.4% (P<0.01) and 29.4% (P<0.05), respectively, compared to pair-fed calves (PF and PF(GH)). On day 55 PI, plasma T(3) still remained lower (23.7%, P<0.01 versus PF) in infected calves while plasma T(4) returned to control values. The data suggest that parasitic infection in growing calves inhibits both thyroidal secretion and extrathyroidal T(4) to T(3) conversion during the APR. After recovery from the APR, thyroidal secretion returns to normal but basal and bGH-stimulated generation of T(3) in liver remains impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislaw Kahl
- Growth Biology Laboratory, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Building 200, Room 211E, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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Van der Geyten S, Segers I, Gereben B, Bartha T, Rudas P, Larsen PR, Kühn ER, Darras VM. Transcriptional regulation of iodothyronine deiodinases during embryonic development. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2001; 183:1-9. [PMID: 11604218 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00644-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A single dose of chicken growth hormone (cGH) or dexamethasone acutely increases circulating T(3) levels in 18-day-old chicken embryos through a reduction of hepatic type III iodothyronine deiodinase (D3). The data in the present study suggest that this decrease in D3 is induced by a direct downregulation of hepatic D3 gene transcription. The lack of effect of cGH or dexamethasone on brain and kidney D3 activity, furthermore suggests that both hormones affect peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism in a tissue specific manner. Dexamethasone administration also results in an increase in brain type II iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) activity and mRNA levels that is also regulated at a transcriptional level. In contrast, however, cGH has no effect on brain D2 activity, thereby suggesting that either GH cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier in chicken or that cGH and dexamethasone regulate thyroid hormone deiodination by different mechanisms. In addition, the very short half-life of D2 and D3 (t(1/2)<1 h) in comparison with the longer half life of type I iodothyronine deiodinase (D1, t(1/2)>8 h), allows for D2 and D3 to play a more prominent role in the acute regulation of peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism than D1.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Van der Geyten
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Zoological Institute, K.U. Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Tei TM, Kissmeyer-Nielsen P, Christensen H, Flyvbjerg A. Growth hormone treatment increases transmural colonic growth in GH-deficient dwarf rats. Growth Horm IGF Res 2000; 10:85-92. [PMID: 10931746 DOI: 10.1054/ghir.2000.0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) has been implicated as an important factor in the growth regulation of several visceral organs including the gastrointestinal tract. Our aim was to study the effects of GH administration on colonic growth in dwarf rats with an isolated GH deficiency. Dwarf rats were treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH; 2.0 mg/kg/day) for four weeks and compared with saline treated dwarf rats and rats with normal pituitary function. The colonic wall composition was measured by means of stereological techniques. RhGH treatment of the dwarf rats increased body weight by 80% and proximal and distal colon weight by 63% and 90%, when compared with placebo treated dwarf rats (P< 0.01). The weight of the proximal colonic mucosa increased by 83% (P< 0.01), submucosa by 78% (P< 0.05), and the muscularis propria by 51% (P< 0.001) in rhGH treated dwarf rats compared with dwarf controls. The weight of the distal colonic mucosa increased by 88% (P< 0.01), submucosa by 88% (P< 0.05) and the muscularis propria by 58% (P< 0.05) compared with dwarf controls. The growth of mucosa involved all mucosal layers, with a 73 and 92% increase in the proximal and distal colon luminal surface area respectively (P< 0.001, P< 0.01). The food consumption, expressed as g/day/100 g BW was 13% higher in dwarf rats receiving rhGH than in placebo treated rats (P< 0.05) and normal control rats (P< 0.05). When weights of the GI tract compartments are corrected for the increase in body weight the effects of GH treatment were small or non-significant. RhGH administration in GH deficient dwarf rats induces visceral growth with a pronounced increase in colonic luminal surface area and growth of all layers of the colonic wall. These findings confirm the important role of GH in the regulation of intestinal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Tei
- Department of Surgery L Amtssygehuset, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
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