PLGA microsphere-mediated growth hormone release hormone expression induces intergenerational growth

Anim Biotechnol. 2009;20(3):124-32. doi: 10.1080/10495390902945787.

Abstract

To improve animal growth, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) expression vectors that maintain constant GHRH expression can be directly injected into muscles. To deliver the GHRH expression vectors, biodegradable microspheres have been used as a sustained release system. Although administering GHRH through microspheres is a common practice, the intergenerational effects of this delivery system are unknown. To investigate the intergenerational effects of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) encapsulated plasmid-mediated GHRH supplements, pCMV-Rep-GHRH microspheres were injected into pregnant mice. Growth and expression of GHRH were measured in the offspring. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry reveal GHRH expression 3-21 days post-injection. The proportion of GH-positive cells in the GHRH treated offspring was 48.2% higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). The GHRH treated offspring were 6.15% (P < 0.05) larger than the control offspring. At day 49 post-injection, IGF-I serum levels were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group. This study confirms that intramuscular expression of GHRH mediated by PLGA microspheres significantly enhances intergenerational growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / biosynthesis*
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / genetics*
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Lactic Acid
  • Mice
  • Microspheres
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / growth & development
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / metabolism
  • Plasmids / administration & dosage*
  • Plasmids / genetics*
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Weight Gain / genetics

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone