Growth hormone enhances amino acid uptake by the human small intestine.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of growth hormone (GH) on the luminal transport of amino acids and glucose by the human small intestine were investigated.


BACKGROUND
The anabolic effect of growth hormone administration is associated with nitrogen retention and an increase muscle strength, but the impact of growth hormone on nutrient uptake from the gut lumen has not been examined.


METHODS
Twelve healthy patients received a daily subcutaneous dose of low-dose GH (0.1 mg/kg), high-dose GH (0.2 mg/kg), or no treatment (controls) for 3 days before surgery. At operation, ileum (8 patients) or jejunum (4 patients) was resected, and brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) were prepared by differential centrifugation. Vesicle purity was confirmed by a 16-fold enrichment of marker enzymes. The carrier-mediated transport of glutamine (System B), leucine (System L), alanine (System B), arginine (System y+), MeAIB (methyl alpha-aminoisobutyric acid [System A]), and glucose (Na(+)-dependent glucose transporter) by BBMVs was measured by a rapid mixing/filtration technique.


RESULTS
Treatment with low-dose GH resulted in a statistically insignificant increase in amino acid transport rates in jejunal and ileal BBMVs. High-dose GH resulted in a generalized 20%-to 70%-stimulation of amino acid transport, whereas glucose transport was not affected. The effects of GH were similar in ileum and jejunum. Kinetic analysis of the transport of glutamine (the most abundant amino acid in the body and the principal gut fuel) and the essential amino acid leucine revealed that the increase in transport was caused by a 50% increase in carrier Vmax, consistent with an increase in the number of functional carriers in the brush border membrane. Pooled analysis of transport velocities demonstrated that total rates of amino acid uptake from the gut lumen were increased significantly by 35% in GH-treated patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability of GH to enhance amino acid uptake from the gut lumen provides energy and precursors for protein synthesis in the gut mucosa, as well as additional substrate for anabolism in other organs.
Inoue
Y
Y
Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
Copeland
E M
EM
Souba
W W
WW
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008871:Microvilli
D000596:Amino Acids; D013006:Growth Hormone; D005947:Glucose