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Growth Hormone Pulsatility and its Impact on Growth and Metabolism in Humans

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Growth Hormone Related Diseases and Therapy

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Classical endocrinology was based on the quantitative features of hormone secretion, i.e., its deficiency or excess. Recent studies have shown that qualitative features of hormone delivery to the target cells may have an independent effect on tissue responses. Whether growth hormone (GH) may share a similar mechanism, through its continuous or pulsatile release, is a burgeoning field of recent endocrine research. This chapter provides an overview of the different regulators of GH signaling and the impact of these signals upon GH pulsatility, concentrating primarily on human studies, outlining the roles of total GH output, GH pulses, and interpulse levels in determining generation of IGF-1 (i.e., growth) and metabolic effects (primarily, lipolysis) in health and disease. These data suggest that it is not only the gross quantity of GH output, but also the pattern of presentation of GH to the peripheral tissues that plays an important role in determining its biological properties. The understanding of the kinetic properties of GH secretion and their potential impact on growth and metabolism may alter our understanding of GH physiology and action, and potentially devise novel and superior strategies to optimize the effects of exogenously administered GH tailored to a specific therapeutic goal.

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Acknowledgments

AROJr was supported by Fulbright/CAPES institutions. ALB was supported by the R01-DK07955 from the NIH.

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  1. Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Antonio Ribeiro-Oliveira Jr.

  2. Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, G-1500, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, USA

    Ariel L. Barkan

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  1. Antonio Ribeiro-Oliveira Jr.
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Correspondence to Ariel L. Barkan .

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  1. Princess Alexandra Hospital &, The University of Queensland, Centres for Health Research, Ipswich Road Woolloongabba 199, Brisbane, 4102, Queensland, Australia

    Ken Ho

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Ribeiro-Oliveira, A., Barkan, A.L. (2011). Growth Hormone Pulsatility and its Impact on Growth and Metabolism in Humans. In: Ho, K. (eds) Growth Hormone Related Diseases and Therapy. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-317-6_3

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