Metabolic Effects of Placental Lactogen (HPL) in Man

Abstract

A partially purified HPL preparation (Lederle) was administered to 5 patients under metabolic balance conditions. Three patients were hypophysectomized diabetics, one had idiopathic panhypopituitarism, and one was a normal female. In 2 of 3 diabetic patients HPL induced a diabetogenic response as evidenced by increased glycosuria, and hyperglycemia. In the third, whose diabetes was mild, HPL induced increased insulin secretion following a carbohydrate meal. In the other 2 patients, HPL induced a 2-fold increase in the insulinogenic response to a standard carbohydrate meal, without significant change in the blood glucose curves. Changes in nitrogen and electrolyte balance were noted only in one patient with idiopathic panhypopituitarism. These studies indicate that HPL has insulinogenic and diabetogenic properties and perhaps other metabolic effects which are not unlike those found after administration of HGH. These observations support the postulate that gestational diabetes and increased insulinogenic responses to glucose during pregnancy may be related to the presence of HPL.