Effect of Radiation on epiphyseal Growth Plate on Growing Long Bones, with Protective Effect of Somatotrophin (Growth Hormone) in Young Albino Rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate possible effects of Growth hormone in preventing the harmful effects of radiation on epiphyseal growth plate of growing long bones of young albino rats. Study Design: Experimental study. Place & Duration: Experimental work was completed in Six months duration in the department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (HMO Karachi. Material & Methods: 30 litters of 10 days age of albino rats were taken for this study. They were divided into three groups: Group A (Control), Group B was given 5Gy gamma radiation and group C was given radiation and injection somatotrophin (Growth hormone). Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups according to their respective time period of treatment i-e., 2 and 4 weeks respectively. At the end of their respective period of study animals were anasthetised by ether. Dissection was done and their long bones i,e., humerus and femur were taken out and transferred, fixed, processed and embedded in paraffin. 5µm thick longitudinal sections were cut with rotatory microtome. The tissues were stained with Alcian blue- Haematoxylin and Eosin stain for measurement of epiphyseal growth plate. Result: A highly significant decrease in mean epiphyseal growth plate was noted in irradiated subgroups as compared with control. And highly significant increase of thickness in epiphyseal growth plate was noted in growth hormone treated subgroups as compared to irradiated subgroups. Conclusion: Irradiation causes destruction and reduction in epiphyseal growth plate. Growth hormone reverses the damage.