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Somatropin and Wound Healing after Injury^*

H. J. C. R. BELCHER and H. ELLIS

Surgical Unit, Westminster Hospital London SWl, England

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Mr. H. J. C. R. Belcher, Department of Plastic Surgery, West Norwich Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 3TU England.

The anabolic effect of biosynthetic human GH (somatropin) has been assessed in both unburned and burned rats. Eighty rats, which had undergone standardized laparotomies, were randomly allocated to four groups (control placebo, control somatropin, burn placebo, and burn somatropin). Healing of the laparotomy wounds was assessed tensiometrically on the 6th and 14th postoperative days.

Burned rats lost weight significantly and had significantly lower hemoglobin and serum albumin concentrations than control rats on both the 6th and 14th days. The peak forces applied t o their musculo-fascial and skin wounds were significantly decreased on the 6th day only. The control somatropin group had significantly stronger musculo-fascial wounds than the control placebo group on the 6th day. Somatropin administration had no effect on burned rats. It is concluded that the limited anabolic activity of somatropin in rats with normal pituitary function is abolished by injury.

^* This work was supported by Lilly Research Ltd. This study is part of work that has been approved by London University for submission for a Mastery of Surgery degree (H.J.C.R.B.).

Blond McIndoe Research Fellow.

Professor of Surgery.

Received September 7, 1989.

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