Early Metabolic Effects of Human Growth Hormone.

Abstract

Human growth hormone, 8 mg, was administered intravenously to 6 normal volunteers, and blood samples were obtained before and from 10 to 240 min. after injection of the hormone. The growth hormone preparation used exhibited a definite early insulin-like effect both in terms of blood glucose and plasma free fatty acid levels. This was not associated with a change in serum insulin-like activity, as measured with rat epididymal adipose tissue. Four hours after growth hormone had been given, there was a mild hyperglycemic effect, and a marked increase in plasma free fatty acids, together with a small but significant elevation in insulin-like activity of serum. These observations are interpreted as compatible with an intrinsic in vivo insulin-like activity of the growth hormone preparation used, which could be either a property of the growth hormone molecule itself, or represent the activity of unrelated substances present in the preparation.