Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 75, 432-436, Copyright © 1992 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Effects of a physiological growth hormone pulse on substrate metabolism in insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetic subjects

N Moller, O Schmitz, J Moller and PC Butler
Medical Department M (Endocrinology and Diabetes), Aarhus Kommunehospital, Denmark.

When present in inappropriate amounts GH induces substantial insulin resistance and it has furthermore been suggested that modest nocturnal surges of GH may precipitate the emergence of the dawn phenomenon. To characterize the metabolic effects of physiologically relevant, small- scale GH exposure, six type 1 diabetic subjects were studied for 5 h in the postabsorptive state after an iv pulse of either 210 micrograms GH or saline. Identical amounts of insulin were infused on both occasions to maintain a prevailing blood glucose concentration of 125 +/- 12 mg/100 ml. The GH bolus caused an increase in serum GH levels to a peak value of 22 +/- 2 micrograms/L after 10 min, a 70% increase in serum FFA (from 570 +/- 80 to 980 +/- 60 mumol/L) and a 400% increase in blood 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) (from 100 +/- 15 to 420 +/- 35 mumol/l) concentrations after 180 and 240 min respectively (P less than 0.05). Blood glycerol and forearm uptake of 3-OHB rose in parallel (P less than 0.01). Plasma glucose, isotopically measured glucose turnover and forearm glucose uptake was not affected by GH. Blood lactate concentrations increased (P less than 0.05) and nonoxidative glucose use and lipid oxidation tended to increase with GH. Energy expenditure remained unaffected. These results suggest that under everyday conditions GH acts as an important regulator of fuel fluxes in type 1 diabetic subjects, the main effect being a transient stimulation of lipolysis. Since no significant effect on glucose metabolism was recorded, we do not presently find evidence to support a primary role for small surges of GH in the pathogenesis of the dawn phenomenon.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Salgin, M. L. Marcovecchio, R. M. Williams, S. J. Jackson, L. J. Bluck, S. M. Humphreys, C. L. Acerini, and D. B. Dunger Effects of Growth Hormone and Free Fatty Acids on Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2009; 94(9): 3297 - 3305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Moller and J. O. L. Jorgensen Effects of Growth Hormone on Glucose, Lipid, and Protein Metabolism in Human Subjects Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2009; 30(2): 152 - 177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. A. Bussau, L. D. Ferreira, T. W. Jones, and P. A. Fournier The 10-s Maximal Sprint: A novel approach to counter an exercise-mediated fall in glycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care, March 1, 2006; 29(3): 601 - 606. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. L. Simpson, N. C. Jackson, F. Shojaee-Moradie, R. H. Jones, D. L. Russell-Jones, P. H. Sonksen, D. B. Dunger, and A. M. Umpleby Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Has a Direct Effect on Glucose and Protein Metabolism, But No Effect on Lipid Metabolism in Type 1 Diabetes J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2004; 89(1): 425 - 432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. D. Jensen Cytokine Regulation of Lipolysis in Humans? J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2003; 88(7): 3003 - 3004. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Touati, A. M. Prieur, J. C. Ruiz, M. Noel, and P. Czernichow Beneficial Effects of One-Year Growth Hormone Administration to Children with Juvenile Chronic Arthritis on Chronic Steroid Therapy. I. Effects on Growth Velocity and Body Composition J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 1998; 83(2): 403 - 409. [Abstract] [Full Text]