Growth Hormone and Obesity

Growth hormone (GH) exerts IGF-I dependent protein anabolic and direct lipolytic effects. Obesity reversibly suppresses GH secretion driven by elevated FFA levels, whereas serum IGF-I levels remain normal or elevated due to elevated portal insulin levels. Fasting in lean individuals suppresses hepatic IGF-I production and increases pituitary GH release, but this pattern is less pronounced in obesity. Fasting in obesity is associated with increased sensitivity to the insulin-antagonistic effects of GH. GH treatment in obesity induces a moderate reduction in fat mass and an increase in lean body mass but the therapeutic potential is uncertain.

Source: Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America - April 15, 2020 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Astrid Hjelholt, Morten H øgild, Ann Mosegaard Bak, Mai Christiansen Arlien-Søborg, Amanda Bæk, Niels Jessen, Bjørn Richelsen, Steen Bønløkke Pedersen, Niels Møller, Jens Otto Lunde Jørgensen Source Type: research