Stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake in rat adipocytes by a human growth hormone fragment (hGH 4-15).

hGH 4-15 significantly increased glucose uptake in rat adipocytes, suggesting a potential role in glucose metabolism. However, the relevance of these findings to human health is unclear.

Summary and findings

The study investigated the effects of the human growth hormone fragment hGH 4-15 on 2-deoxyglucose uptake in rat adipocytes. A single intravenous injection of hGH 4-15 at a dose of 1 mg/kg significantly increased glucose uptake. Additionally, pre-incubation of adipocytes with hGH 4-15 at 10 micrograms/ml also elevated glucose uptake in the presence and absence of insulin.

Abstract

The in vivo and in vitro effects of a hypoglycaemic fragment of human growth hormone containing the sequence H2N-Ile-Pro-Leu-Ser-Arg-Leu-Phe-Asp-Asn-Ala-Met-Leu-COOH (hGH 4-15) on 2-deoxy-[1-14C]-D-glucose uptake in adipocytes were studied. The isolated cells from rats after a single intravenous injection of hGH 4-15 (1 mg/kg) significantly increased uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (p less than 0.005). Adipocytes from untreated rats pre-incubated with the hGH fragment (10 micrograms/ml) at 37 degrees C for 30 min also clearly showed an elevated uptake of 2-deoxyglucose in the absence and the presence of exogenous insulin. The effect of hGH 4-15 was concentration-dependent, steadily increasing with the maximum effect at 10 micrograms/ml. The present findings suggest that the enhancement of glucose transport in target tissues may be a major contributing factor to the hypoglycaemic action of the amino-terminal fragments of human growth hormone.

Limitations

Not reported in abstract.

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