Growth hormone alters gross anatomy and morphology of the small and large intestines in age- and sex-dependent manners

Abstract

Purpose Growth hormone (GH) has an important role in intestinal barrier function, and abnormalities in GH action have been associated with intestinal complications. Yet, the impact of altered GH on intestinal gross anatomy and morphology remains unclear. Methods This study investigated the influence of GH signaling on gross anatomy, morphology, and fibrosis by characterizing the small and large intestines in male and female bovine growth hormone transgenic (bGH) mice and GH receptor gene-disrupted (GHR−/−) mice at multiple timepoints. ResultsThe length, weight, and circumference of the small and large intestines were increased in bGH mice and decreased in GHR−/− mice across all ages. Colon circumference was significantly increased in bGH mice in a sex-dependent manner while significantly decreased in male GHR−/− mice. Villus height, crypt depth, and muscle thickness of the small intestine were generally increased in bGH mice and decreased in GHR−/− mice compared to controls with age-and sex-dependent exceptions. Colonic crypt depth and muscle thickness in bGH and GHR−/− mice were significantly altered in an age-and sex-dependent manner. Fibrosis was increased in the small intestine of bGH males at 4 months of age, but no significant differences were seen between genotypes at other timepoints. Conclusion This study observed notable opposing findings in the intestinal phenotype between mouse lines with GH action positively associated with intestinal gross anatomy (i.e. length, weight, and circumference). Moreover, GH action appears to alter morphology of the small and large intestines in an age-and sex-dependent manner.

Akromegalik hastaların kolonoskopik değerlendirmesi: tek merkez deneyimi

“…The length of the colon is increased in patients with acromegaly, and standard bowel preparation is often inadequate because the transit time of the colon is more than double. 21,22 In our study, we found that inadequate bowel preparation was significantly higher in the acromegaly group than in the control group. GH levels at the time of diagnosis were also significantly higher in patients with inadequate bowel preparation.…”

Growth Hormone Alters Circulating Levels of Glycine and Hydroxyproline in Mice

“…Thus, the diet is unlikely to have a major effect on the results of this experiment, as all of the mice were given ad libitum access to the same diet. bGH mice, which show the lowest circulating levels of glycine, consume the largest amount of food [ 8 ] and have the larger intestinal surface area for absorption [ 26 ], both of which point to higher levels of circulating glycine if dietary glycine levels are the driving force.…”

Covert actions of growth hormone: fibrosis, cardiovascular diseases and cancer

“…These older transgenic mice also have renal damage with increased fibrosis and glomerular lesions 47 . Marked fibrosis is also apparent in their adipose tissue, more prominently in subcutaneous depots 8 , as well as in the intestines 48 . Severe skin fibrosis has also been found in bGH mice, which is more prominent in males than females 37 .…”