Effect of lipid and ketone infusions on insulin-induced growth hormone elevations in rhesus monkeys.

Abstract

Insulin hypoglycemia was induced in 34 rhesus monkeys in order to test the effectof infusions of ketones and lipids on insulin-induced growth hormone (GH) elevations. During pentobarbital anesthesia, 10 of 15 control monkeys responded with at least a 2-fold rise in plasma GH concentrations following intravenous injection of 0.25 U insulin/kg. Infusion ofa 20%soybean oil emulsion (Intralipid) resulting in 6 mm plasma FFA concentrations completely inhibited insulin-induced GH elevations in 8 monkeys. Similarly, sodium octanoate infusion resultingin 3 mm plasma FFA concentrations inhibited insulin- induced GH elevations in 7 monkeys. β-Hydroxybutyrate infusion at a rate of 13–16 mg/kg/min did not abolish insulin-induced GH elevations. The mechanism of the FFA suppression of GH response to insulin hypoglycemia is unclear. (Endocrinology85: 1180, 1969)