Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Measurement of Insulin- and Contraction-Stimulated Glucose Uptake in Isolated and Incubated Mature Skeletal Muscle from Mice
08:01

Measurement of Insulin- and Contraction-Stimulated Glucose Uptake in Isolated and Incubated Mature Skeletal Muscle from Mice

Published on: May 16, 2021

Short-term effects of growth hormone on myocardial glucose uptake in healthy humans

H E Bøtker1, H Wiggers, M Bøttcher

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Skejby Hospital, University Hospital in Aarhus, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. heb@dadlnet.dk

American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|May 29, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) causes whole-body insulin resistance but does not affect insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the heart. This suggests myocardial insulin resistance is not a direct result of systemic insulin resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Cardiac muscle exhibits insulin resistance in specific heart conditions like coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
  • Generalized disorders such as diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension do not inherently cause cardiac insulin resistance without cardiac manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the insulin-antagonistic effects of growth hormone (GH) on the heart.
  • To determine if GH administration impacts insulin-stimulated myocardial glucose uptake.

Main Methods:

  • A 3.5-hour euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp was performed on eight healthy males.
  • Insulin-stimulated whole-body and myocardial glucose uptake were measured with and without GH administration.
  • Myocardial glucose uptake was assessed using positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose tracer kinetic analysis.

Main Results:

  • GH administration significantly decreased whole-body insulin-stimulated glucose disposal by 26% (P < 0.02).
  • GH did not alter the heart's rate-pressure product.
  • Insulin-stimulated myocardial glucose uptake remained similar with and without GH administration (P = 0.18).

Conclusions:

  • Growth hormone exerts a significant insulin-antagonistic effect on the whole body.
  • Despite systemic effects, GH does not impair insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the heart.
  • Myocardial insulin resistance is not an inevitable consequence of whole-body insulin resistance.

More Related Videos

Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes08:03

Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes

Published on: June 25, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose01:02

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy01:26

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is the increase in the size of individual cells, resulting in the enlargement of a tissue or organ. Unlike hyperplasia, which involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in cell volume. This process often occurs in response to higher functional demand or hormonal stimulation, leading to the production of more structural proteins and organelles, thereby enhancing the cells' work capacity.There are two primary types of hypertrophy: physiological...
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism01:19

Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism is a fundamental biochemical process that ensures a constant supply of energy to living cells. The most important carbohydrate is glucose, which can be broken down via glycolysis to enter into the Krebs cycle and eventually lead to the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...