Garibotto G, Russo R, Barreca A, Sofia A, et al.
Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on muscle
protein turnover in malnourished hemodialysis patients
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract)
(Sep) 7:1318 1996
This study from Garibotto et al, Genoa, Italy, looked at the
effects of recombinant growth hormone administered for 6 weeks, 5 mg
thrice weekly, in 6 malnourished CAPD patients (BW=83% of ideal BW).
It was a cross-over design, with a baseline phase, a treatment phase of 6
weeks of rhGH administration, and a third phase after a 6-week wash-out
period. The method used was arterial infusion of 3-H phenylalanine infusion
and forearm venous sampling, allowing the determination of muscle protein
synthesis, degradation, and net protein balance, K+ release at the forearm
also was monitored.
The results showed an increase in protein synthesis, no change in
protein degradation and a decrease in K+ release, indicating an anabolic
response to rhGH treatment.
Comment: It is interesting to note that, despite a
correlation between serum IGF-1 levels and the increase in protein
synthesis during rhGH
treatment, the serum IGF-1 was only slightly increased (+36%). This may
have been due to the malnourished status of patients.
(Denis Fouque, M.D., University of Lyons, France)
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