Effect of growth hormone combined with Radix Dipsaci on the body growth and the bone metabolism of hypophysectomized rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of growth hormone (GH) combined with Radix Dipsaci on the body growth and the bone mineral content (BMC) of hypophysectomized rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The GH deficiency rats model was established using the hypophysectomized operation through the skull and the throat. Qualified rats were divided into the sham-operation group (n = 15), the negative control group (n = 13), the GH intervention group (n = 13), and the GH combined with Radix Dipsaci group(n = 12). GH (0.25 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected from the cervical part in the GH intervention group and the GH combined with Radix Dipsaci group at the same time, while equal volume of normal saline was injected to the rest groups. 0.7 mL/100 kg Radix Dipsaci was given by gastrogavage to the GH combined with Radix Dipsaci group at the same time, while equal volume of normal saline was given by gastrogave to the rest groups. The body weight, the tail length, and the body length were measured during the intervention period. Blood was withdrawn after 14-day intervention. The femoral bone and the tibial bone were taken out. The levels of GH, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OC) were measured. The width of the tibial epiphyseal plate was measured. The bilateral femur bone mineral density (BMD) and BMC were measured using the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The body weight, the body length, the length of the femoral bone, the length of the tibial bone, the width of the epiphyseal plate, the levels of the GH, IGF-1, ALP, and OC increased in the GH intervention group and the GH combined with Radix Dipsaci group after 2-week intervention, showing statistical difference when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the tail length though it also increased (P > 0.05). There was insignificant difference in the aforesaid indices between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the BMD of the GH combined with Radix Dipsaci group increased with statistical difference (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the BMC of the GH intervention group and the GH combined with Radix Dipsaci group increased with statistical difference (P < 0.01). It was highest in the GH combined with Radix Dipsaci group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GH combined with Radix Dipsaci showed unobvious effect on promoting the growth. But it could elevate BMD and BMC, and improve the bone metabolism.</p>