EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE ON PLASMA FATTY ACIDS*

Abstract

Fasting values of plasma un-esterified fatty acids were raised in man by human and simian growth hormone and in the dog by human, simian, porcine and bovine growth hormone. Diabetic dogs were more sensitive than normal dogs. Half milligram of human growth hormone in a hypopituitary subject and 1.0 to 8.0 mg in normal adults increased value more than 100% in 4 hours. Glucose, glucose and insulin and food suppressed the effect of growth hormone on fatty acids. It was suggested that growth hormone influenced the rate of fat mobilization in the postabsorptive period.