SODIUM RETENTION WITH HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE AND ITS SUBFRACTIONS*†

Abstract

The administration of 10 mg. of human growth hormone within four hours produced a mean retention of approximately 30 mEq. of sodium and potassium per twenty-four hours in 3 of 5 normal subjects receiving a constant dietary intake; there was no change in urinary aldosterone. In 2 there was slight retention—without the rise in aldosterone that was found in a more prolonged study. Urinary sodium decreased after administration of human growth hormone in 2 patients with primary aldosteronism who had been refractory to daily intramuscular injections of 20 mg. of desoxycorticosterone acetate for four days. The magnitude of sodium retention was increased in primary aldosteronism, possibly because of the potassium-depleted state. Sodium retention was also observed in a bilaterally adrenalectomized subject after human growth hormone was administered. Results indicate that sodium retention with human growth hormone in man is independent of aldosterone secretion.