The present studies were undertaken to assess the mechanisms responsible for growth hormone-induced insulin resistance in man. The insulin dose-response characteristics for suppression of glucose production and stimulation of glucose utilization and their relationship to monocyte insulin binding were determined in six normal volunteers after 12-h infusion of growth hormone and 12-h infusion of saline. The infusion of growth hormone (2 μg · kg−1 · h−1) increased plasma growth hormone nearly threefold (to ≃9 ng/ml) within the range observed during sleep and exercise. This increased plasma insulin (14 ± 1 versus 8 ± 1 μU/ml, P < 0.005) concentrations without significantly altering plasma glucose concentrations or basal rates of glucose production and utilization. Insulin dose-response curves for both suppression of glucose production (half-maximal response at 37 ± 3 versus 20 ± 3 μu/ml, P < 0.01) and stimulation of glucose utilization (half-maximal response at 98 ± 8 versus 52 ± 8 μU/ml, P / 0.01) were shifted to the right with preservation of normal maximal responses to insulin. Monocyte insulin binding was unaffected. Thus, except at near maximal insulin receptor occupancy, the action of insulin on glucose production and utilization per number of monocyte insulin receptors occupied was decreased. These results indicate that increases in plasma growth hormone within the physiologic range can cause insulin resistance in man, which is due to decreases in both hepatic and extrahepatic effects of insulin. Assuming that insulin binding to monocytes reflects insulin binding in insulin sensitive tissues, this decrease in insulin action can be explained on the basis of a postreceptor defect.
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Original Contributions|
August 01 1982
Effects of Growth Hormone on Insulin Action in Man: Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance, Impaired Suppression of Glucose Production, and Impaired Stimulation of Glucose Utilization
Robert A Rizza;
Robert A Rizza
Endocrine Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Mayo Medical School and Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota 55905
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Lawrence J Mandarino;
Lawrence J Mandarino
Endocrine Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Mayo Medical School and Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota 55905
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John E Gerich
John E Gerich
Endocrine Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Mayo Medical School and Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota 55905
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Address reprint requests to Dr. John E. Gerich at the above address.
Diabetes 1982;31(8):663–669
Article history
Received:
October 28 1981
Revision Received:
April 05 1982
Accepted:
April 05 1982
PubMed:
6761205
Citation
Robert A Rizza, Lawrence J Mandarino, John E Gerich; Effects of Growth Hormone on Insulin Action in Man: Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance, Impaired Suppression of Glucose Production, and Impaired Stimulation of Glucose Utilization. Diabetes 1 August 1982; 31 (8): 663–669. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.31.8.663
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