Effects of Growth Hormone on the Oxidation of [1-14C]-Pyruvate in Adipose Tissue of Hypophysectomized Rats

Abstract

The acute effects of growth hormone on the oxidation of [1-14C]-pyruvate to 14CO2 were studied in epididymal adipose tissue obtained from hypophysectomized rats. At concentrations ranging from 10 ng/ml to 1 microgram/ml, growth hormone increased the rate of pyruvate oxidation by 20-60%. A lag period of up to 30 min was required for the full effect of the hormone to develop. Addition of fructose to the incubation medium increased the rate of pyruvate oxidation in response to either growth hormone or insulin. The effects of 1 microgram/ml growth hormone were comparable in magnitude to those of 1 mU/ml insulin, and pyruvate oxidation in the presence of both agents was no greater than in the presence of either on its own. The enhancement of pyruvate oxidation by growth hormone, like that caused by insulin, probably results from activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Increased activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase was found in cell-free extracts of adipose tissue that had been exposed to either growth hormone or insulin. The response of tissue segments to growth hormone followed the same pattern as observed for other acute insulin-like effects of the hormones; it was transient and disappeared within 3 hours despite continued presence of the hormone. Previous exposure of the tissues to growth hormone made them refractory to the hormone upon reexposure.