Chronic Low Dose Growth Hormone Treatment Stimulates Both Hypertrophy and Hyperplasia of Remnant Kidneys in Uraemic Rats

In conclusion, low doses of exogenous rhGH, when administered in a manner similar to clinical practice, are associated with glomerular enlargement and stimulation of hypertrophy and hyperplasia of remnant kidneys from uraemic rats. Increased GV was also seen after short term, high dose rhGH therapy in our previous study.[4] The time interval required before increased GV develops with low dose rhGH therapy and whether or not further rhGH exposure subsequently leads to worsening glomerular hypertrophy, glomerulosclerosis[7] and renal failure cannot be determined from the current study. Although we observed no significant changes in renal function with rhGH therapy, we recommend that children with CRI be carefully monitored to ensure that long term rhGH treatment has no such deleterious effects.