Abstract
In patients with GH-deficiency various disorders of carbohydrate metabolism have been reported. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of GH on insulin sensitivity and insulin receptor binding by means of euglycemic CLAMP technique and radioreceptor assay using mononuclear leucocytes as target cells. 5 patients with hypopituitarism were studied during GH therapy (phase A) and after withdrawal of treatment for 4 weeks (phase B). Informed consent from the patients and their parents to partizipate in the study was obtained. Results: 1.) Basal insulin levels were not different in phase A and B. 2.) Peripheral glucose utilisation was significantly elevated in phase B compared to phase A (6.3 vs. 3.9mg/kg BW·min, p <0.05). 3.) Insulin receptor binding to monocytes remained unchanged after withdrawal of GH-therapy (specific binding fraction 3.18% vs. 3.66%, n.s.). These data indicate that the influence of GH substitution on peripheral glucose metabolism is most likely due to postreceptor mechanisms.
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Frisch, H., Prager, R., Schober, E. et al. INFLUENCE OF GROWTH HORMONE (GH) TREATMENT ON INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND INSULIN RECEPTOR BINDING IN PATIENTS WITH GH-DEFICIENCY. Pediatr Res 18, 801 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198408000-00059
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198408000-00059