AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 270, Issue 3 E451-E455, Copyright © 1996 by American Physiological Society
Leucine and glucose kinetics during growth hormone treatment in intrauterine growth-retarded preterm infants
L. Van Toledo-Eppinga, M. C. Houdijk, H. A. Delemarre-Van De Waal, C. Jakobs and H. N. Lafeber
Department of Pediatrics, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The present study was performed with the objective to investigate the
possible effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) supplementation
on protein and glucose metabolism during the early postnatal period in
seven intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) preterm infants. Eight infants
were studied as controls. The metabolic rate was measured by indirect
calorimetry, and whole body protein and glucose kinetics were measured
using constant-rate infusions of [1-13C] leucine and [U-13C]glucose during
continuous adequate oral feeding. Energy expenditure was similar in both
groups. In the rhGH-treated group of infants, leucine turnover (470 +/- 76
vs. 409 +/- micromol/ kg/day), leucine used for protein synthesis (402 +/-
72 vs. 337 +/- 36 micromol /kg/day), and leucine derived from protein
breakdown (365 +/- 71 vs. 304 +/- 41 micromol/kg/day) were increased.
However, net leucine balance was not increased (37 +/- 17 vs. 34 +/- 13
micromol/kg/day). The total rate of appearance of glucose was 10.1 +/- 1.2
vs. 10.0 +/- 1.3 mg/kg/min. We suggest that immediate postnatal treatment
with rhGH is not effective in stimulating protein gain and has no effect on
glucose kinetics in IUGR preterm infants.
