RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to increase the number of human islet beta-cells after transplantation with injections of human growth hormone (hGH). INTERVENTIONS: Human islets and fetal rat islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsule and under the right kidney capsule, respectively in nude normoglycemic mice which were then given a daily injection of 200 microg hGH for 1-4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Beta-cell proliferation was determined using thymidine incorporation and the beta-cell area was assessed using light microscopy. RESULTS: Mice given hGH increased their body weight one week after transplantation and had a more efficient removal of glucose after 3 and 4 weeks. Treatment with hGH resulted in increased beta-cell proliferation in human and fetal rat beta-cells, and the beta-cell area tended to increase. However, serum insulin concentrations and pancreas insulin content remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: hGH increased the proliferation of transplanted human beta-cells as well as improving the glucose tolerance of the transplanted mice.
