Combined insulin-like growth factor-1 and growth hormone improves weight loss and wound healing in burned rats.

UNLABELLED

The anabolic effects of growth hormone (GH) in burned patients appear to act both directly and through insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). We, therefore, hypothesize that exogenous GH plus IGF-1 will attenuate increases in metabolism and lean muscle wasting while promoting wound healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats, each weighing 440-470 g, were given a 35% total body surface area, full-thickness scald burn and divided into four groups to receive placebo (burned controls), bovine GH (2.5 mg/kg/day), IGF-1 (2.0 mg/kg/day), or bovine GH plus rhIGF-1 (2.5 + 2.0 mg/kg/day), respectively, for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Total body weight gain after 8 weeks averaged 110 g for GH plus IGF-1 compared with gains of 49 and 11 g for GH or IGF-1 alone, respectively. Burned controls lost 24 g. Metabolic rates were significantly reduced in all groups receiving growth hormones. Gastrocnemius muscle dry weight was significantly increased in those receiving GH plus IGF-1 compared with GH and IGF-1 alone or burned controls (p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Data show that GH plus IGF-1 synergistically increased lean muscle weight, total body weight, and was more effective in re-epithelialization of the burn wound than either GH or IGF-1 alone.