Impaired secretion of growth hormone in experimental uremia: Relevance of caloric deficiency

To evaluate the impact of uremia and associated caloric restriction on physiologically pulsatile growth hormone (GH) release, we used deconvolution analysis of spontaneous plasma GH profiles in 5/6-nephrectomized male rats (NX, N = 9). Three different normal renal function sham-operated groups were used: rats fed a normal diet ad libitum (SAL, N = 9); NX pair-fed rats (SPF, N = 6); NX rats pair-fed for protein ingestion but calorically supplemented up to the energy intake of SAL (SPF+, N = 8). Severe renal failure was confirmed by much higher (P < 0.001) BUN in NX than sham groups. NX rats were growth retarded as shown by reduced (P < 0.01) weight and length gains as compared with sham animals. Deconvolution analysis (mean ± SEM) of plasma samples obtained every 10 minutes over 6 hours, and 14 to 16 days after second stage nephrectomy showed that NX rats had a longer GH t 1/4 (17.0 ± 1.8 vs. 11.6 ± 0.8 min), less GH mass secreted per burst (48 ± 15 vs. 95 ± 16 ng/ml/pulse), lower secretory pulse amplitude (1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 5.8 ± 0.9 ng/ml/min), and a reduced total GH secretion (240 ± 69 vs. 400 ± 56 ng/ml/6 hr) than SAL rats. Corresponding data were not significantly different between NX and SPF, or between SAL and SPF+groups. In summary, stunted rats with chronic renal failure exhibit a prolonged GH t 1/4 and suppression of GH secretory pattern burst mass. Control data from rats with normal renal function suggest that the amplitude-specific depression of GH secretion may be attributed, at least in part, to chronic renal failure-associated calorie deficiency.