Growth hormone (GH) has been shown to protect the intestinal barrier integrity and to stimulate the production of
insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which inhibits the development of
acute pancreatitis. Sensory nerves are implicated in the protection of pancreatic tissue against acute
inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of exogenous GH on
acute pancreatitis (AP) and to assess the involvement of sensory nerves and
IGF-1 in above effect. Studies were performed on Wistar rats. AP was induced by subcutaneous administration of
caerulein (25mug/kg) to the conscious animals. GH (1 or 2mg/kg) was administered to the rats as an
intraperitoneal injection 30min prior to the start of AP. To deactivate sensory nerves
capsaicin was given at total dose of 100mg/kg 10days before the experiments. AP was confirmed by histological examination and manifested by the significant rises of pancreatic weight, and serum activities of
lipase,
TNFalpha and
IL-10 (by 550%, 300% and 50%, respectively), whereas
IGF-1 blood concentration was markedly reduced. Administration of GH prior to the
caerulein infusion significantly increased GH,
IGF-1 and
IL-10 blood levels, attenuated harmful effects of AP and reduced histological manifestations of
pancreatitis in the rats with intact sensory nerves. This was accompanied by the reduction of serum
lipase, and
TNFalpha activities. In the AP rats with
capsaicin-deactivated sensory nerves GH failed to protect the pancreas against acute damage and, as a consequence of above deactivation,
IGF-1 was low.
CONCLUSION: