HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gopinath, R. Articles by Etherton, T. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gopinath, R. Articles by Etherton, T. D.

Effects of Porcine Growth Hormone on Glucose Metabolism of Pigs: II. Glucose Tolerance, Peripheral Tissue Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Kinetics¹

The Pennsylvania State University³, University Park 16802

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether the increase in serum glucose observed in pigs treated chronically with pGH is due to an increase in hepatic glucose output or to an impairment in glucose clearance. Barrows (n = 4 per treatment) were treated with pituitary derived pGH (ppGH), recombinant pGH analog (rpGH) or vehicle. Pigs were treated for 28 d by daily i.m. injections. Insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance tests (GTT) were performed on d 19 and 21, respectively, following treatment with pGH. Glucose turnover was quantified on d 28 using [6-³H]glucose. Chronically treating pigs with pGH resulted in a significant decrease (26%; P < .05) in glucose clearance, as determined by the GTT. Glucose clearance was affected similarly by ppGH and rpGH. Intra-arterial glucose infusion markedly increased plasma insulin concentration in pGH-treated pigs. Peak plasma insulin response was 87% and 58%, respectively, higher (P < .05) in ppGH- and rpGH-treated than in control pigs. Insulin infusion elicited a marked hypoglycemia in pigs; however, the extent and duration of hypoglycemia were significantly less in pGH-treated pigs (ppGH or rpGH). Glucose production rates were 23% higher (P = .085) in ppGH-treated than in control pigs. These results establish that the hyperglycemia induced by pGH is the result of an increase in hepatic glucose output and a concurrent impairment in glucose clearance.

¹ Authorized for publication as paper no. 7900 in the Journal Series of The Pennsylvania Agric. Exp. Sta. We thank J. P. Wiggins, M. N. Sillence, P. E. Walton, C. M. Evock, K. A. Magri, P. G. Campbell, S. Pyke, T. Conners, and B. Henry for assistance with different aspects of this study. This study was supported in part by a grant from USDA (USDA 85-CRCR-1-1822).

² Present address: Aurofood Private Ltd., Auroville 605101, Pondicherry, India.

³ Dept. of Dairy and Anim. Sci., The Pennsylvania State Univ. Address reprint requests to T. D. Etherton.