Abstract
During fasting, a lack of GH increases protein loss by close to 50%, but the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. The present study tests the hypothesis that the anabolic actions of GH depend on mobilization of lipids. Seven normal subjects were examined on four occasions during a 37-h fast with infusion of somatostatin, insulin, and glucagon for the final 15 h: 1) with GH replacement, 2) with GH replacement and antilipolysis with acipimox, 3) without GH and with antilipolysis, and 4) with GH replacement, antilipolysis, and infusion of intralipid. Urinary urea excretion, serum urea concentrations, and muscle protein breakdown (assessed by labeled phenylalanine) increased by almost 50% during fasting with suppression of lipolysis. Addition of GH during fasting with antilipolysis did not influence indexes of protein degradation, whereas restoration of high FFA levels regenerated proportionally low concentrations of urea and decreased whole body protein degradation (phenylalanine to tyrosine conversion) by 10-15%, but failed to affect muscle protein metabolism. Thus, the present data provide strong evidence that FFA are important protein-sparing agents during fasting. The finding that inhibition of lipolysis eliminates the ability of GH to restrict fasting protein loss indicates that stimulation of lipolysis is the principal protein-conserving mechanism of GH.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4371-4378 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism |
| Volume | 88 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2003 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Cite this
The decisive role of free fatty acids for protein conservation during fasting in humans with and without growth hormone. / Nørrelund, Helene; Nair, K Sreekumaran; Nielsen, Steen; Frystyk, Jan; Ivarsen, Per; Jørgensen, Jens Otto Lunde; Christiansen, Jens Sandahl; Møller, Niels.
In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol. 88, No. 9, 01.09.2003, p. 4371-4378.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The decisive role of free fatty acids for protein conservation during fasting in humans with and without growth hormone
AU - Nørrelund, Helene
AU - Nair, K Sreekumaran
AU - Nielsen, Steen
AU - Frystyk, Jan
AU - Ivarsen, Per
AU - Jørgensen, Jens Otto Lunde
AU - Christiansen, Jens Sandahl
AU - Møller, Niels
PY - 2003/9/1
Y1 - 2003/9/1
N2 - During fasting, a lack of GH increases protein loss by close to 50%, but the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. The present study tests the hypothesis that the anabolic actions of GH depend on mobilization of lipids. Seven normal subjects were examined on four occasions during a 37-h fast with infusion of somatostatin, insulin, and glucagon for the final 15 h: 1) with GH replacement, 2) with GH replacement and antilipolysis with acipimox, 3) without GH and with antilipolysis, and 4) with GH replacement, antilipolysis, and infusion of intralipid. Urinary urea excretion, serum urea concentrations, and muscle protein breakdown (assessed by labeled phenylalanine) increased by almost 50% during fasting with suppression of lipolysis. Addition of GH during fasting with antilipolysis did not influence indexes of protein degradation, whereas restoration of high FFA levels regenerated proportionally low concentrations of urea and decreased whole body protein degradation (phenylalanine to tyrosine conversion) by 10-15%, but failed to affect muscle protein metabolism. Thus, the present data provide strong evidence that FFA are important protein-sparing agents during fasting. The finding that inhibition of lipolysis eliminates the ability of GH to restrict fasting protein loss indicates that stimulation of lipolysis is the principal protein-conserving mechanism of GH.
AB - During fasting, a lack of GH increases protein loss by close to 50%, but the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. The present study tests the hypothesis that the anabolic actions of GH depend on mobilization of lipids. Seven normal subjects were examined on four occasions during a 37-h fast with infusion of somatostatin, insulin, and glucagon for the final 15 h: 1) with GH replacement, 2) with GH replacement and antilipolysis with acipimox, 3) without GH and with antilipolysis, and 4) with GH replacement, antilipolysis, and infusion of intralipid. Urinary urea excretion, serum urea concentrations, and muscle protein breakdown (assessed by labeled phenylalanine) increased by almost 50% during fasting with suppression of lipolysis. Addition of GH during fasting with antilipolysis did not influence indexes of protein degradation, whereas restoration of high FFA levels regenerated proportionally low concentrations of urea and decreased whole body protein degradation (phenylalanine to tyrosine conversion) by 10-15%, but failed to affect muscle protein metabolism. Thus, the present data provide strong evidence that FFA are important protein-sparing agents during fasting. The finding that inhibition of lipolysis eliminates the ability of GH to restrict fasting protein loss indicates that stimulation of lipolysis is the principal protein-conserving mechanism of GH.
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U2 - 10.1210/jc.2003-030267
DO - 10.1210/jc.2003-030267
M3 - Article
VL - 88
SP - 4371
EP - 4378
JO - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
JF - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
SN - 0021-972X
IS - 9
ER -