Abstract: To investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on intestinal bacteria/endotoxin translocation in early severely burned rats. Methods 30 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, the burn group and the rhGH treatment group. Rats in the burn and the rhGH treatment groups were inflicted with 25% total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness skin scald on their backs immediately followed by intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (80mg/kg), then they were subcutaneously subjected to normal saline and rhGH (1.33 IU/kg) 2 hours after burning. Changes of the intestinal bacteria translocation rate, the endotoxin level in the portal and cava veins, the level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in the cava venous serum and hepatic function were determined 8 and 24 hours after burning. ResultsThe intestinal bacteria translocation rate and the bacterial level in the rhGH group were significantly lower than those of the burn group (P<0.05), but were not significantly different from those of the control group (P>0.05). The endotoxin level in the rat portal and cava veins of the rhGH group was also significantly lower than that of the burn group (P<0.01). The level of TNFα in the cava vein and the indexes of hepatic function of the rhGH group were markedly lower than those of the burn group (P<0.01, 0.05). Conclusion A high dose of rhGH administered at an early stage following burning could effectively reduce intestinal bacteria/endotoxin translocation, decrease the release of inflammatory mediators and protect hepatic function.

Key words: Burns, Intestines, Growth hormone, Bacterial translocation, Endotoxin