Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on intestinal bacteria and endotoxin translocation in experimental obstructive jaundice. MethodsObstructive jaundice rat models were made and divided into three groups: sham operation (SO) group, obstructive jaundice (OJ) group and obstructive with rhGH (OG) group. The number in each group was 20. The mice in rhGH group underwent subcutaneous injection each day of Saizen, with the dose of 0.75 u/kg, while SO group and OJ group received nitric sodium injection. All these maitained for 2 weeks, then the animals were killed and the endotoxin were determined by limulus test, and bacterial cultures of ascites, blood, mesenchymal lymph node, kidney, spleen and liver were made, and the height of villi and the thickness of intestinal walls were examined.ResultsThe value of endotoxin in OJ group was (0.77±0.03) u/ml, higher than that in OG group and SO group, while it was (0.40±0.02) u/ml and (0.33±0.03) u/ml (Plt;0.01). The bacteria translocation rate in OJ group was 58.8%, much higher than that in OG group, which was 10.0% (Plt;0.01). There was no difference between OG group and SO group (Pgt;0.05). Villi height in OJ group was (183.39±11.09) μm, and thickness was (255.62±16.58) μm. While in OG group was (237.52±13.65) μm, and (320.81±14.34) μm (Plt;0.01) respectively.Conclusion rhGH has significant effect on protecting the injuried mucosa barrier in obstructive jaundice, and can decrease endotoxemia and bacteria translocation.