AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 242, Issue 6 368-E372, Copyright © 1982 by American Physiological Society
Glucose transport in adipocytes and its control by growth hormone in vivo
E. Schoenle, J. Zapf and E. R. Froesch
Previous results showed maximally enhanced basal glucose transport in
adipocytes of hypophysectomized rats and restoration to normal after human
growth hormone (hGH) administration. The data suggested a hGH-dependent
"limiting factor" for glucose transport in the adipocyte membrane, which is
acutely inhibited by insulin resulting in enhanced glucose transport. In
this study the effect of hGH was investigated with respect to dose and time
dependence. hGH was administered by continuous infusion from subcutaneously
implanted Alzet minipumps. A significant decrease of basal glucose
transport was obtained at the lowest hGH dose of 50 mU/day for 6 days. This
effect of hGH was strictly correlated to the effects on growth (tibial
epiphyseal width, DNA synthesis, body weight, serum level of insulin-like
growth factor). The effect of hGH on basal glucose transport was already
observed after 12 h of infusion, and it increased to a maximum after 3
days. The data support the concept that GH regulates the glucose transport
system in adipose tissue in vivo.
