Growth hormone exerts acute vascular effects independent of systemic or muscle insulin-like growth factor I.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Endothelial dysfunction is common in patients with GH deficiency who are at increased risk for premature cardiovascular death. GH regulates vascular tone and reactivity in humans.

Objective

Our objective was to explore the mechanisms underlying the GH's acute vascular effects. DESIGN AND STUDY SETTING: There were 10 healthy, lean and young, volunteers studied after an overnight fast. GH was infused systemically for 6 h at 0.06 microg/kg.min. Biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle was done in seven subjects before and after GH infusion. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were incubated with GH in vitro.

Results

GH infusion increased plasma GH to 32.9 +/- 1.5 ng/ml and forearm blood flow by 66% (P < 0.001). GH infusion did not significantly change plasma IGF-

SUBMITTER: Li G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2291494 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature