Metabolic effects of a single administration of growth hormone on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in normal-weight and obese subjects.

The effects on lipid metabolism of a single intramuscular dose of SR 29001 (0.15 U/kg body wt), a biosynthetic human growth hormone (hGH), were explored in a double-blind randomized crossover vs a placebo study of six normal-weight and six obese subjects (Quetelet Index greater than 120%). Circulating hGH concentrations reached means of 35 and 28 ng/mL in the normal-weight and obese subjects, respectively. Free fatty acids increased in both groups (p less than 0.05); increases in beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate concentrations were more moderate (NS). Plasma glucose increased significantly despite a significant increase in insulin (p less than 0.002). The lipolytic effect persisted after a standardized 950-kcal meal eaten 5 h after hGH administration. A delayed increase in somatomedin-C and decreases in blood urea and total cholesterol were also observed (p less than 0.05). Despite increased insulin secretion, biosynthetic hGH produced a significant increase of lipolysis in both groups, which was only partially suppressed by food.