ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate therapeutic effects of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) on rat sepsis and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP), levels of plasma TNF?,IL-1? and endotoxin,leukocyte count and survival rate within 1 week were determined after E. coli injection among control group,sepsis group and sepsis+rhGH group. RESULTS: (1)rhGH diminished the decrease of MAP, reduced plasma endotoxin and TNF? levels and increased neutrophil ratio in total leukocytes in sepsis rat. rhGH increased survival rate within 1 week on sepsis rat. (2)No changes were found in IL-1? level among the three groups. CONCLUSION: rhGH showed desirable beneficial effects on rat sepsis, which may attribute to: improving circulatory function; maintaining intestinal mucosa barrier, attenuating bacteria/endotoxin translocation and inhibiting the production and release of TNF?.