Growth hormone suppression of pancreatic polypeptide secretion.

Abstract

Effects of GH treatment on human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) secretion and glucose homeostasis were evaluated in seven GH-deficient children with chronological ages of 7–15 yr and bone ages of 5–13 yr. Both before and after long term GH therapy, blood samples were obtained for measurement of serum hPP, insulin, and glucose concentrations throughout a 24-h period during which meals were taken. In addition, serum glucose and hPP responses to insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were determined on four occasions: 1) before GH treatment, 2) 2 h after the last of three daily injections of GH, 3) 2 h after the last injection of GH (0.1 IU/kg, im), three times each week for 8 weeks), and 4) 72 h after withdrawal of GH. Fasting serum hPP concentrations were also obtained in 15 short-normal children. Mean fasting hPP concentrations were slightly but not significantly greater in the seven GH-deficient children than in the short-normal children with equivalent bone ages. In the GHdeficient children, long term GH therapy s...