Protective effects of growth hormone - releasing hormone antagonists in the lungs of septic mice.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonists (GHRHAnt) have been associated with antitumor and antioxidative activities. The present study investigates for the first time the effects of those compounds towards pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in a murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) - induced sepsis. The results indicate that GHRHAnt JV-1-36 significantly suppressed IL-1α, IL-6, and pSTAT3 activation in septic lungs. Moreover, GHRHAnt treatment reduced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein concentration, suggesting a protective effect of that compound in sepsis-induced lung edema. Based on those findings, it is suggested that GHRHAnt may represent an exciting new therapeutic possibility in sepsis-induced endotoxemia and lung injury.