[The effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the serum levels of cytokines in severely burned patients].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the serum levels of cytokines in severely burned patients.

METHODS

Thirty-six burn patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the rhGH dosage used, i.e. small (0.3 IU.kg(-1).d(-1), A), large (0.6 IU.kg(-1).d(-1), B) dose groups and control group (C, with normal saline). The rhGH was administered beginning from 3 postburn days (PBDs) and lasted for 20 days. The dynamic changes in the serum levels of TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-8 and LPS at different time points were observed.

RESULTS

When compared with those in C group, the serum levels of TNFalpha, IL-6 in A, B groups were decreased, especially in B group with earlier decrease and bigger range (P < 0.01). Simultaneously, the serum LPS level was decreased accordingly with evident positive correlation with the change in those cytokines (r = 0.9723, P < 0.01). But there was no obvious difference in serum IL-8 level among A, B and C groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

rhGH might decrease the production of postburn inflammatory mediators, especially in higher dose in dose-dependent manner for some degree. The clinical application of rhGH might be a supplementary measure in preventing and ameliorating postburn SIRS and MODS in severely burned patients.