Effect of recombinant human growth hormone on apoptosis and survival of polymorphonuclear neutrophil

Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) on the apoptosis and the survival of polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs) stimulated or unstimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods The peripheral venous blood was collected from healthy volunteers. Isolation of PMNs were performed by using the discontinuous plasma Percoll gradient technique. PMNs were divided into four groups:control,rhGH(100 ng/mL),LPS(100 ng/mL) and LPS(100 ng/mL)+rhGH(100 ng/mL). PMNs were cultured in enriched RPMI 1640 media at 2×106/mL for 3 and 24 h. PMNs apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry(Annexin V FITC protein binding assay). Results rhGH can delay the early apoptosis of PMNs and prolong its survival rate without LPS sitimulation. rhGH have showed no effects on the apoptosis and the survival of PMNs stimulated by LPS but some inhibitory effect of rhGH on PMNs stimulated by LPS. Conclusion rhGH could delay the apoptosis of PMNs and enhance the activity of PMNs, but not only lose the effects of delaying PMNsapoptosis and enhancing the activity of PMNs but also inhibit some stimulated effects of LPS on PMNs.