Substrate Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity During Fasting in Obese Human Subjects: Impact of GH Blockade

Pedersen, Morten Hogild; Svart, Mads Vandsted; Lebeck, Janne; Bidlingmaier, Martin; Stodkilde-Jörgensen, Hans; Pedersen, Steen Bonlokke; Moller, Niels; Jessen, Niels and Jörgensen, Jens O. L. (2017): Substrate Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity During Fasting in Obese Human Subjects: Impact of GH Blockade. In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 102, No. 4: pp. 1340-1349

Abstract

Context: Insulin resistance and metabolic inflexibility are features of obesity and are amplified by fasting. Growth hormone (GH) secretion increases during fasting and GH causes insulin resistance. Objective: To study the metabolic effects of GH blockade during fasting in obese subjects. Subjects and Methods: Nine obese males were studied thrice in a randomized design: (1) after an overnight fast (control), (2) after 72 hour fasting (fasting), and (3) after 72 hour fasting with GH blockade (pegvisomant) [fasting plus GH antagonist (GHA)]. Each study day consisted of a 4-hour basal period followed by a 2-hour hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp combined with indirect calorimetry, assessment of glucose and palmitate turnover, and muscle and fat biopsies. Results: GH levels increased with fasting (P < 0.01), and the fasting-induced reduction of serum insulin-like growth factor I was enhanced by GHA (P < 0.05). Fasting increased lipolysis and lipid oxidation independent of GHA, but fasting plus GHA caused a more pronounced suppression of lipid intermediates in response to hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp. Fasting-induced insulin resistance was abrogated by GHA (P, 0.01) primarily due to reduced endogenous glucose production (P = 0.003). Fasting plus GHA also caused elevated glycerol levels and reduced levels of counterregulatory hormones. Fasting significantly reduced the expression of antilipolytic signals in adipose tissue independent of GHA. Conclusions: Suppression of GH activity during fasting in obese subjects reverses insulin resistance and amplifies insulin-stimulated suppression of lipid intermediates, indicating that GH is an important regulator of substrate metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic flexibility also in obese subjects.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0021-972X
• Language: English