The effects of gammahydroxybutyrate on hypermetabolism and wound healing in a rat model of large thermal injury

Kevin D. Murphy, Mary W. Rose, David L. Chinkes, Walter J. Meyer, David N. Herndon, Hal K. Hawkins, Arthur P. Sanford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Growth hormone (GH) improves wound healing and ameliorates pediatric postburn tissue catabolism associated with deficient endogenous GH/IGF-1 levels. Expense, parenteral administration, and compliance have limited widespread usage. Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB), an upstream neuromodulatory gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) derivative, is known to increase slow wave sleep and stimulate endogenous GH secretion. In this study, improvement in GH levels in turn has been shown to accelerate wound healing. METHODS: Body composition in male Sprague-Dawley rats with ≥40% total body surface area scald burn, receiving incremental GHB doses orally, was assessed by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. Serum GH and IGF-1 levels were measured. Wound cross sections were scored semiquantitatively for wound healing variables. RESULTS: Incremental elevation in GH and IGF-1 were associated with significantly improved wound edge epithelialization and cell-layer thickness at high doses (p < 0.005). However, body composition was similar to that of burned controls. CONCLUSIONS: GHB sufficiently elevated serum GH and IGF-1 levels to significantly improve epithelialization rates and layer thickness at high doses. Substantially greater elevations of serum GH and IGF-1 levels are required in the rat burn model than for humans. GHB may improve postburn hypermetabolism in humans by elevating endogenous GH levels, though only improved epithelialization was demonstrated in this study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1099-1107
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
Volume63
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2007

Keywords

  • Anabolic
  • Burns
  • Gammahydroxybutyrate
  • Growth hormone
  • Hypermetabolism
  • Sleep
  • Wound healing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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